Anosike advising patience for Lady Vols
Tennessee's size and athleticism was obvious on the Thompson-Boling Arena court Saturday.
Nicky Anosike noticed a few other attributes as well. The former UT women's basketball center, a starter on the past two national championship teams, is in town before going overseas to play in Israel. She attended the open workout.
"They have some things you can't teach,'' said Anosike, who just finished her WNBA rookie season in Minnesota. "They know where the open player is and they find her.
"They share the ball well. Sometimes when you have top recruiting classes coming in, they don't share."
Anosike could sum up her advice to the team in one word: patience.
"They're going to go through struggles being a young team," Anosike said. "You have to be patient. There's a lot to remember. There's a lot (coach) Pat (Summitt) expects.
"They already look good. They're going to continue to get better."
Calling All Quick Guards: With the team now convening full team workouts twice a week, the male practice players are on the court. At first glance, the latest group has size with two players standing 6-foot-5 and 6-4 1/2 respectively.
Assistant coach Dean Lockwood, who's assembling the players, wants more quickness.
"I need a quick, slashing wing (player),'' Lockwood said.
Lockwood said that he has 11 players in the fold but is looking for three or four more.
Injury Update: Point guard Briana Bass, who underwent knee surgery in February, appears to be going strong. Her quickness was evident during the scrimmage portion of Saturday's workout. Classmate Amber Gray, who has had a lingering thigh problem, participated in the practice.
High Praise: Summitt already is raising the bar for freshman guard Shekinna Stricklen.
"She's special; she brings it at both ends of the floor,'' Summitt said. "She could be a very, very special guard for us."
Schedule Updates: The game time for the season opener against San Francisco on Nov. 15 at the arena has been moved up to 1 p.m. As for other times changes: at George Washington Dec. 2 to 7:30 p.m., at Rutgers Jan. 3 to 2 p.m. and Feb. 26 at LSU to 9 p.m. EDT.
The game time for Dec. 14 at Texas has been set for 2 p.m.
Fox Sports Net will televise the following games: San Francisco, Nov. 17 vs. Virginia, Nov. 23 vs. Louisiana Tech, Dec. 11 vs. Middle Tennessee State, Feb. 5 vs. Georgia, Feb. 12 vs. Alabama, Feb. 19 at Kentucky and at LSU.
More On Spani: Before arriving in Knoxville, Lady Vols recruit Taber Spani said that she would be cheering for UT at Saturday's football game versus Florida.
Still, she has great respect for Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.
"Tim Tebow has been a role model for me,'' she said. "I love how he's used his platform to influence people with his Christian faith."
Laxton Update: Former Lady Vol Brynae Laxton, who is finishing her residency at the University of Cincinnati, will return to Knoxville next spring, said Laxton's aunt, Bea Barnett.
Laxton will be working as a ear/throat/nose specialist at The Tower at Parkwest with Dr. David G. Sexton. Laxton and Sexton both are from Oneida.
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