Members of Tennessee's first national championship team will be the featured guests among more than 50 former Lady Vols returning for an alumni weekend.
The 20-year anniversary of the 1986-87 championship will be celebrated in conjunction with today's women's basketball game against Kentucky at 5:30 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Including family members, UT coach Pat Summitt expects the total alumni group to number more than 150.
"It will be a great time to reflect, get together and share stories,'' Summitt said. "Every time we get together, the stories seem to change from year to year. But it's fun. I always enjoy it."
Tennessee first championship, which occurred in its fourth national championship game (NCAA and AIAW), was the breakthrough that preceded five more championships.
"It was almost like the pressure was off and I think from that point on we saw ourselves as the team that could in fact compete for championships,'' Summitt said.
Not To Worry: Summitt is not sweating Tennessee's recent tendency to commit fouls.
In the past two games, the Lady Vols have been whistled for 40 total infractions, resulting in 43 combined free throw attempts by Georgia and Auburn.
"We want to be an aggressive team,'' Summitt said. "Sometimes fouls come with that."
If anything, she wants her team to be more aggressive. Summitt has been pushing that theme with first-year point guards Shannon Bobbitt and Cait McMahan, who are the first line of defense.
There are exceptions, however. Alberta Auguste has been whistled for six fouls in 34 playing minutes the past two games. Summitt said the junior guard would benefit from more discipline. Summitt then added: "I'll live with her fouls better than I will her turnovers."
Not to Worry II: Summitt also isn't fretting over the Lady Vols' 7-for-32 shooting on 3 pointers the past two games.
For senior Sidney Spencer, Tennessee's top 3-point shooter, it might help not having any more games in her home state of Alabama.
With her grandfather, Earl, in attendance, Spencer shot 1-for-4 on treys against Auburn on Thursday night. On Jan. 28 at Alabama, with approximately 50 family members and friends on hand, Spencer missed all six of her attempts from behind the arc.
Stay Tuned: Given UT's playing style and relative lack of depth, the practice schedule can change on a moment's notice.
"I tell the kids: 'I'll tell you after the game,' '' Summitt said.
After the Auburn game, Friday's practice was scaled back to a weight workout.
"Fresh legs for us mean a lot because of how we play,'' Summitt said.
New Digs: While Tennessee's basketball practice facility is under construction, Kentucky is moving into its $30 million facility.
Wildcats coach Mickie DeMoss said the team is using the new courts and locker room. The coaches are scheduled to move into their new offices this week.
"Love it. Love it,'' DeMoss said. "When you walk in there, there's such a sense of pride. It's first class. I think it's going to help in recruiting."
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