NORFOLK, Va. — Hearing Candace Parker quip, "I like that play. I don't have to do nothin' in that play," during drills Saturday is funny because Parker's done so much for Tennessee this year. So much, that it's actually not funny.
Parker averages 16.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this year and became the Southeastern Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player on March 5 after making the winning shot against LSU with 17 seconds left.
Her court presence will become even more significant to the No. 2 seeded Lady Volunteers (28-4) when they play No. 15 Army (20-10) today in their NCAA Tournament opener, which starts at 11 a.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va.
"I'm really just excited because of knowing what it was like last year to sit out, and there's huge anticipation (this year)," said Parker, answering questions in a busy and crowded locker room. "I mean, last year I couldn't wait to play and now it's finally here. It's kind of like, 'I can't believe it.'
"A year's gone by."
Nominated for this year's V Foundation Comeback Player of the Year award, Parker sat out her freshman season to recover from surgery that repaired the lateral meniscus and the lateral articular cartilage in her left knee. Without Parker, this year's SEC Freshman of the Year, the Lady Volunteers finished 30-5 overall, won the SEC Championship and finished third in the NCAA Championships.
As much as Tennessee didn't need Parker to advance as far as it did last year, it's now clearer than ever how much they will call on her this time around. Parker not only has the ability to play every position, but she actually has played them all.
As of late, Parker has played at the three position as well as at the post and the point, the latter during the last seven games because of a broken right wrist suffered by sophomore Alexis Hornbuckle on Feb. 12.
"I think Candace has really matured in a lot of ways," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "Looking at her as a basketball player now and just seeing the growth from the beginning to the NCAA Tournament, I think that she has stepped up her game and tried to take more responsibility."
Jenny Moshak, UT's Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, cleared Hornbuckle to play on Thursday. Hornbuckle's return should free up Parker and senior shooting guard Shanna Zolman from bringing up the ball and wearing the extra hat of point guard, which means a tougher task for Army sophomore Stefanie Stone.
Stone, who has the unenviable task of guarding Parker, said the Naperville native will be a challenge because she's quick and she can play both inside and outside.
"Candace is a great player, obviously. She's done some really great things this year," Stone said. "It's gonna be a tough matchup, but I'm up to the challenge. We're gonna try different things defensively, not just on her, but on the entire team."
Army's making its first appearance in the tournament under first-year coach Maggie Dixon, who recruited Parker while serving as DePaul's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2001-05.
"I went to every one of her AAU games and recruited her very hard," Dixon said. "I've watched her grow as a person and as a player, and I'm very proud of what she has accomplished."
The last time UT and Army played — a 96-44 Lady Vols' victory during the 2002 San Juan Shootout — Parker was busy winning a second-straight Class AA state title as a senior at Naperville Central. The winner of today's rematch will play the winner of No. 7 George Washington and No. 10 Old Dominion on Tuesday.
Army entered the tournament by defeating Holy Cross 69-68 in the Patriot League title game, while the Lady Volunteers defeated LSU 63-62 in the SEC Championship.
Tennessee boasts an 18-0 record in the first and second rounds of the tournament, history that does not bode well for the undersized and inexperienced Black Knights.
"We haven't actually really done our scouting on them yet, but for any team to be in the tournament right now, you know they're a good, solid team," said Parker, who cited Army's discipline as a strength. "So I think if we bring energy on both the offensive and defensive end, hopefully, we'll come out with a victory."
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