Weekly Teleconference

Coach Summitt addresses upcoming games against DePaul and Louisiana Tech

On the Duke loss:

"I think coming off the Duke loss, we got a lot of information about our basketball team. It was certainly a disappointing home loss for us. We were not very strong in transition and obviously shot the ball very poorly, but we still had a chance to win the game at the end."

On defensive breakdowns:

"We had some defensive breakdowns in the last two possessions, because we had some players on the floor that hadn't been in that situation before. We have to get better at our post game. We also had some defensive breakdowns at the post at key times in the game, and that was certainly costly for us. Our transition defense and our poor shooting really contributed to our loss."

On practice during the 10-day layoff:

"Using the information we received from the Duke game, we have been able to really get into practice mode, and while obviously they are in exams, we have had some quality practice time as well. Our focus has been on transition defense, half court defensive execution, half court offensive execution and our transition offense. Those four areas and rebounding have been a priority. We have had good rebounding on the offensive end, but our second chance points have not been at the level of a typical Tennessee team."

On DePaul:

"We are certainly challenged, with the defensive breakdowns shown in the Duke game, by what DePaul brings with their transition offense. Their commitment on offense is to the three-point shot and their strong inside game. This is going to challenge us defensively. I do think we are better prepared for that style of play, and the girls understand that we have an opponent coming in that really pushes the pace and puts a lot of points on the board. This will be a real challenge for our team. We are going to have to defend 94 feet. DePaul is clearly the best running team we have faced to date."

On Louisiana Tech:

"Louisiana Tech is a tough place to play. We will be bringing in a freshman point guard, and that is okay, because we feel as if she brings some energy and can gain some valuable knowledge. I am a little surprised (that they are not in the Top 25), but La Tech is dangerous and is a team that comes on very strong. If you watch what they have done in the past, this is not totally uncharacteristic. Obviously in terms of some early losses, Louisiana Tech not being in the Top 25 is a different look, but they will be ready for us. At their place, they are a transition team, up and down, and that is one of our biggest concerns right now."

On Alexis Hornbuckle filling in at the point guard position:

"With Moore out, Hornbuckle has had some quality time at the point. She will be the one to step in and start at the point. I have not talked with her specifically about that, but the thing about her is she is very coachable. She has had to step in and take on a lot of our leadership role and learn an enormous amount in a very short amount of time. It can be overwhelming for a freshman, and I think that Alexis has a look and feel for the game. I feel a very good connection with her in coaching her through both the good and the bad. She has a really good basketball mind, and she wants to take the reins of our team. I have seen that in her play and certainly now, she is the first to ask questions. I have a lot of confidence that she can step up and do this. We know it is not something that you can perfect overnight, but I really like the attitude, the communication and leadership skills she has demonstrated going into this."

On Loree Moore's tonsillectomy:

"I think it affected her fatigue level and caused a lack of energy that she has brought to the court. I don't think she has been herself. As far as the shooting part of it, she has had some really good looks. I think it has affected more of her up and down play than anything else. She has not been aggressive and able to sustain that type of energy. The exception was our opening game at Chattanooga, where I thought she had great energy. There was a noticeable difference between that and two days later when we played at N.C. State, where I thought she had very low energy at times."

"I think our trainers kept an eye on her, and Jenny Moshak was on top of the situation. When it became increasingly more difficult for Loree to keep her intensity up and to sleep at night, and when she just didn't feel well at all and wasn't on top of her game, Jenny and I spoke about whether to perform the surgery now or later. It's only fair to Loree to get this taken care of. Then she can feel better and will be back healthy and ready to go and physically a lot stronger as a player."

On Shanna Zolman:

"I think Shanna has gotten some good looks, but she is also a target. The defensive schemes that she has seen and will continue to see obviously will make it very important for her to read defenses and get herself open off of screens. She needs to understand there will be times when she will get good looks and other times when she has to be more of a playmaker and play off her teammates. I do think this is an area that Shanna has worked hard to improve on. She continues to be a go-to player for us. I think her change of speed and defensive reads will allow her get the open looks, and I am confident she will knock them down. She has probably put a lot more pressure on herself then necessary. She just needs to stay relaxed and confident and put the ball up.

"I have seen a significant improvement in Shanna's leadership and just a day-to-day commitment to coming in and being a good example. We expect that out of our upperclassmen. Because of her work ethic and commitment in the off-season, she has certainly gained the respect of her teammates and coaches. This is a great time for her to provide more leadership, when some of the younger players are struggling. She can turn to them and help them through the difficult times that they might be going through. I see that happening already. Clearly this team identifies Shanna as a leader."

On Khara Smith, DePaul:

"I think Smith is much improved. Certainly you look at her ability to not only get on the block and score, but in transition, make them strong and give them a great running threat in the paint. The one thing that I would say is their strength is going inside. They will be attacking something that has not been a strength for us in defending. This is going to be a challenge to Tye'sha Fluker and our two freshmen inside."

On playing a Louisiana Tech team that's not ranked in the Top 25:

"It is a little bit different, but they're a team that's dangerous, and I know the last couple seasons they've come on really strong in the postseason. If you watch what they've done, it's not totally uncharacteristic, but not being in the Top 25 certainly is a different look. For us going on the road and playing them at their place, we know they'll be ready to play us. Like everyone, they'll be up to play Tennessee. We have to go there and play great defense, because they are a good transition team, and one of our biggest concerns is our transition game."

On the parity this season and its effect on the Top 25 poll:

"The numbers change frequently - where you position people. It is quite different because there have always been some teams that have pretty much stood their ground in the top 10 spots, and, obviously, this year that has changed. People talk about parity all the time, and now it's here. I do think some of these teams that were a little bit stronger a year ago have lost key players. Certainly, we lost three key players, and Tasha Butts was one of the best leaders I've ever coached in my career. I think people are just adjusting right now, and I'd be surprised if you did not see a lot of those teams come back up and find some stability and move back up in the top five."

On whether Shanna Zolman's shooting recently has affected other parts of her game:

"I really think she has been able to play through some of the tougher times she's experienced offensively. She's been a good defender. I think the one thing I've talked with her about, and she's responded to, has been the couple games where she hasn't gotten off to a good start, hasn't brought a high energy level. I've just challenged her to bring high energy and communication to the team, and to bring her defense when things are not going as well offensively as she would expect. She's a competitor and someone who has adjusted during the course of the game. Her play in the first half of the last game was one thing, but her play in the second half was much better. I know the last shot that she got was not a good look, but I don't blame her for that. We just did not make the best decision at that particular time."

On the similarities between Tennessee and Louisiana Tech so far this season:

"I've not yet had an opportunity to watch them play. I've got tape, but I'm concerned about DePaul coming in next. Certainly, if you look statistically, there are some similarities. You lose players and you have players step in, and you hope those (new) players bring the team to the same level they were at the end of last year. It doesn't always happen like that. I think it occurs less frequently when you have to bring in freshmen or sophomores. It is just the process that you have to go through, and you have to identify those players who eventually will step up and take on that responsibility on a consistent basis. I know we are still searching, and we do not have the answers right now. We do think we have players who can provide those answers; it's just a matter of taking ownership."

On the rivalry between Tennessee and Louisiana Tech and the impact it's had on the women's game:

"In the rivalry, we have had two programs that have endured a lot of great hard-fought, competitive games that have brought national attention. These are two programs that year-in and year-out have consistently been in the top 20. It's been good for women's basketball and for both programs. The rivalry has certainly benefited Tennessee, and I would not speak for Louisiana Tech, but they just dominated us early on and then we got better. We learned a lot from Louisiana Tech. We took a serious look at our style of play, and we looked at the type of players they had that made them successful. Then we had to get players that could compete at the same level and generate some success against a program like Louisiana Tech. That's why you play the best. You always learn when you play teams that are as good as or better than you."

On the depth at the point guard position with Loree Moore out:

"Without question, Shanna (Zolman) will have to play some point, but I think this is something that we will have to do somewhat by committee. I certainly think that Brittany Jackson can help bring the ball up. Shanna can help in the half court, and she has had more experience and reps at that. As a junior, I think she (Zolman) is very capable of running our basketball team, and I have no doubt that they will follow her lead. Obviously, we're waiting to assess Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood's progress and to get her some more practice time. We are very hopeful that she will be able to play. It's just a time thing now, and we just need to get some repetition in to see how she responds. She would be a big help if that happens."