Sophomore called meeting after Wiley-Gatewood left
PHILADELPHIA - Tennessee begins in earnest to assess life without Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood tonight.
Fittingly, the Lady Vols first real women's basketball test since their former starting point guard decided to transfer comes on the road against Temple.
Tipoff is at 7 o'clock at the Liacouras Center.
A team on the move is closing ranks and moving on. Top-ranked Tennessee (10-0) better do it quickly, too. After last week's reprieve against Princeton, a date with No. 22 Temple (8-2) signals a return to the familiar grind.
"It's not about what we don't have,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "It's what we do have. You ask some players to do more.''
Sophomore Alexis Hornbuckle has been handed a request list to rival Santa Claus'. Everything from handling the basketball and running the offense to being the lead defender will be shoehorned into her job description. At least, she's not being asked to play a new position. Hornbuckle has been playing point guard since last season and knows the territory.
It was Hornbuckle, not the seniors, who called a team meeting after Wiley-Gatewood's announcement last week to assess the fallout.
"Somebody you love and care for and tried to help suddenly up and leaves, that's a big blow to you,'' senior Shanna Zolman said. "You've lost a sister.''
In the process, the Lady Vols might have gained a stronger leader. Regarding Hornbuckle, Summitt said, "She likes being in a leadership role. Seldom do I have to say, 'turn the volume up.' ''
Instead, the coach more likely will turn to fellow starter Zolman or freshman Lindsey Moss and say, "Be ready." While finding a backup point guard is less daunting, it's no less important.
"It's not my favorite position,'' Zolman said. "I'm willing to do it. I'm going to have to do it to give Alexis a breather or if she gets into foul trouble.
Moss, meanwhile, has work to do before she'll be trusted with many meaningful playing minutes.
"I think sometimes she thinks she has to do something spectacular to stay on the floor,'' Summitt said. "Quite the opposite.''
Interestingly, the ripple effect from Wiley-Gatewood's departure will be felt more initially in the frontcourt. Candace Parker will start tonight's game at small forward. Summitt is having a hard time, though, letting go of the redshirt freshman's Tim Duncan-like performance at the other forward spot.
"She's been so efficient there,'' Summitt said.
Parker's biggest adjustment figures to be on offense. There are post-up options to ease the transition. Parker also can create scoring chances off the dribble and by being active.
Still, Summitt said that she might try a starting lineup with junior Sidney Spencer at small forward and Parker back inside next to Nicky Anosike.
"If we have a tight game, typically she'll be at that spot (power forward)," Summitt said of Parker.
Scoring-wise, 30 of the 72 points Wiley-Gatewood scored this season came on 3-pointers. She helped UT set a record pace with an average of seven treys per game.
At 30.3 percent, Wiley-Gatewood wasn't UT's most accurate sharpshooter, but her 33 trey attempts reflected a willingness to pull the trigger. She nailed three 3 pointers in a game last season. And not just any game either. The baskets helped Tennessee end a six-game losing streak against Connecticut, which pays a visit Jan. 7.
Some of Wiley-Gatewood's scoring might shift to the frontcourt. Or Spencer might expand on her 3-point effort. She's shooting a dazzling 55 percent behind the arc (better than her overall shooting percentage of 41.7) but is fourth in overall attempts with 20.
The Lady Vols have their options. The players are not lacking for versatility. Any questions at this crucial juncture concern their resolve.
"Individually, we have to set our goals higher,'' senior center Tye'sha Fluker said. "We have to bring it every game."
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