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Lady Vols realize what lies ahead this season

ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS -- In this warm, idyllic setting, Tennessee got a glimpse of the cold, foreboding women's basketball season that lies ahead.

Make that an eyeful.

Maryland, alone, supplied a 40-minute object lesson in the final of the Paradise Jam, leading for nearly 10 minutes of the second half and leading by as many as eight points before UT prevailed, 80-75.

"Maryland gave us a heads-up of what we're walking into,'' sophomore guard Alexis Hornbuckle said.

UT coach Pat Summitt was more blunt in saying, "We got our cage rattled tonight. It's a good thing for us."

Michigan State and Gonzaga gave Tennessee their best shots here as well. But the performance of No. 10 Maryland (4-1) was worthy of a NCAA regional final or a Final Four.

"They're a good team,'' UT guard Shanna Zolman said. "They played extremely well.''

By comparison, No. 2 Tennessee (5-0) wasn't too shabby either. Redshirt freshman Candace Parker, who averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the three games, was the event's most valuable player. Hornbuckle deserved equal consideration, or at least a spot on the all-tournament team. In the final two games, she gathered 31 points and nine steals. While few of the Lady Vols seemed particularly inspired against Gonzaga on Friday, Hornbuckle, by UT's count, was recording 14 deflections.

"She was the best defender in this tournament at the guard position -- in my opinion,'' Summitt said.

The Lady Vols had an idea of what they were getting into this season. Now it should be as clear as the Caribbean waters that UT's bull's-eye has been magnified by the presence of Parker and all of the preseason hype surrounding her and the team.

Afterward, Zolman and Parker already were talking about No. 18 Texas and No. 15 Stanford, the next stops on UT's journey. The Longhorns, who have won four in a row against Tennessee, visit Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday night. Tennessee plays at Stanford on Sunday.

"I didn't really realize how tough our schedule was until you step back and look at it,'' Parker said.

Or start wading into it. The season doesn't figure to get any easier, particularly if UT doesn't adjust its response.

The Lady Vols need to become better rebounders. Maryland owned the boards by a 41-32 margin. Michigan State also outrebounded UT on Thursday.

"There's no reason why we didn't rebound," Parker said after the Maryland game. "There's no excuse, in that game, for me to only have eight rebounds.''

Nice thought but Tennessee also needed more from centers Tye'sha Fluker and Nicky Anosike, who combined for six points and four rebounds against the Terrapins. Their production barely exceeded their nine combined fouls. They were eclipsed totally by Maryland's powerful post duo of Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper (32 points, 23 rebounds).

Conversely, UT could've gotten by with a little less from Zolman, who shot 4-for-16 from the floor against Maryland and was 14-for-45 for the three days.

Take away Zolman's numbers and the Lady Vols' team shooting percentage for the Jam was above 46 percent (68-for-147). Of course, they don't want to subtract any of Zolman's contributions. Still, the totals need to change.

"She has forced more this year than she has her entire career,'' Summitt said. "She's a senior. It's the grand finale. But she's a smart player. She'll understand and learn.''

Summitt's tone wasn't one of concern. Zolman tried to echo the sentiment.

"I don't feel any pressure to go out and score double digits every night,'' she said. "I'm not trying to force myself to do that.

"My eyes get so big when I get the ball. I'm getting good looks. I want to knock them down. I need to relax more.''

She had her chance to chill out Sunday. The team was scheduled to visit St. John and the island home of country music star Kenny Chesney.

For the occasion, she and Lady Vols could wear the Paradise Jam championship caps they received Saturday night. The caps were appropriately colored orange. Considering UT's play, they were a good fit as well.

Notebook: Three games in three days didn't adversely impact any of the Lady Vols who had knee injuries last season. Forward Alex Fuller was limited not by a sore knee but by a strained hip flexor.