Tennessee prepares for Florida and Georgia
On what the team has done between returning from Connecticut and two SEC games this week...
"We had a day off on Sunday and went back to work Monday trying to prepare for both Florida and Georgia. We looked at tape on each team's style of play, and spent quite a bit of time in our preparation on Monday and Tuesday so I feel good about that. We're traveling to Gainesville today."
On the team refocusing this week after the big win at Connecticut...
"I was very pleased this week. I think we've had two very good practices. Monday in particular, we didn't even talk about the Connecticut game; we went right into Florida and Georgia. We've had great energy and really good preparation overall."
On what the staff has shown this team from the Florida game last year...
"We watch film the day of the game, but they all get tapes before then, so I suspect some of them have looked at that game from last year. I think that game was very telling for us in terms of losing at home and losing late in the season; it probably cost us a No. 1 seed. That was last year's team. We have a lot of the same players, but we're a different team. It was a good lesson for us. Florida deserved that win; they came in and played very well against us. As a team we understand that we have to bring it every night whether it's our home court or not. That was senior night and a tough loss that I'm sure we've not forgotten."
On the Florida game last year being a motivation for this year's game...
"That game should be motivation for this year's team. Without question they understand what happened and what can happen if you're not ready to play. Florida is not a team that they will take lightly. This team respects Florida, and hopefully we'll be ready to play. I would expect us to be ready."
On keeping the team focused on Florida when it is between road games at Connecticut and Georgia...
"I think you always caution against a let down when you have a big road win like we had on Saturday. You rely on the maturity of the team and leadership of upperclassmen to understand that the Connecticut win is in the past. This is all about what we want to accomplish in SEC play. Our goal is to win the league and if we're going to do that, we have to be able to come in and play. Again, I rely on the leadership and the maturity of our basketball team; I think we are much more mature than last year's team."
On the Lady Vols' declining field goal percentage and lack of board control this season...
"We have been inconsistent with our field goal percentage. Certainly, Candace Parker and Sidney Spencer have been our go-to players. I think part of that is the schedule we play. We've played against some tough defenses. Connecticut's defense was very challenging for us and we did not shoot the ball as well as we did earlier this season. The tougher competition has something to do with it, but I think we have to be more efficient from the outside. In particular Alexis Hornbuckle and Alberta Auguste need to be able to put up big numbers and be more consistent from the two-guard spot. That is probably my biggest concern, outside of the fact that Nicky Anosike and Alex Fuller are the players who need to do a better job offensively on the boards. If I had to say what players need to do a better job offensively, it would be those four. Rebounding is a lot about heart and desire and pursuing the ball. I thought we did a much better job against Connecticut than, for example, playing against North Carolina. Both of those teams are extremely athletic and aggressive and physical on the boards. I thought we matched the intensity of Connecticut much better than we did against North Carolina in terms of rebounding. Hopefully we're getting better."
On the longtime rivalry and close matchups with Georgia...
"We always have close and hard fought games against Georgia. They are strong year-in and year-out and they play well against us. I think we play well against them and the intensity and competitiveness there and the physical play involved. We've been fortunate to make some big plays down the stretch, but there have been games that in many cases could have gone either way. That's the past. Now it's just two teams going at it. This is new and different, they have new players, we have new players, but it's still Tennessee and Georgia and it's been a longstanding, intense rivalry in the Southeastern Conference and I don't expect it to be any different on Sunday."
On the possible intimidation of playing a consistently top-five team and strong program, such as Tennessee...
"In some cases yes, but with us and Georgia, no. They are very competitive and tough minded and I don't see them being intimidated by any team, anywhere, anytime. They take on the mindset of Coach Andy Landers and they will be ready to play a very competitive style of basketball and do so with a lot of confidence."
On the polls this week being top-heavy with ACC teams...
"I think it will be interesting to see Maryland, North Carolina and Duke play one another as the ACC season gets underway. Those will be great games and it will be interesting to see if anyone will run the table and who will be the best of the three. I haven't seen any of the teams enough, except North Carolina, to make an assessment on how I would rank those teams."
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