Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Summitt Directs Intense Practice

KNOXVILLE, TN -- No time to cry over spilled milk. A disappointed Pat Summitt had her Lady Vols right back on the practice floor Tuesday night following Monday's 22 point loss at Duke.

The coach was none too pleased by her team's effort, especially on defense:

"Neither one of you are willing to give up the ball line and bust your butt every possession," Summitt said to a pair of players inside Thompson-Boling arena Tuesday night. "And do you know why? It's because after they catch it, it doesn't bother you if you get beat."

"It's going to be a revolving door(around here) because your butt's coming out if you get beat."

One day after the Lady Vols' first loss of the season, Coach Summitt had a lot to say about her team's lack of defense against the Blue Devils.

"Everyone has to know what the mission is, not individually but collectively," Summitt said. "Understanding how important it is to play great defense, every possession."

"We took a lot of possessions off (against Duke) and some of our upper-classmen really disappointed me with the lack of leadership. It's unacceptable."

Summitt did not hold back trying to get her point across during a practice that consisted mostly of defensive drills.

"I'm telling you right now," Summitt's voice bellowed throughout the 24,000 seat arena. "The only way you're going to get inspired is if you have to sit."

Summitt said she was looking forward to how this team would react to a loss.

"You always want the team to respond when you face a little adversity, and obviously, we faced a little adversity."

No comments: