The concept of wading into a swimming pool instead of jumping
into the deep end must be very foreign to the women’s
basketball team. The Bruins dive straight into their tough schedule
this afternoon against the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville
““ no easy task at the end of season, much less in their
second regular-season game. The national powerhouse Volunteers are
led by sophomore star Candace Parker and coach Pat Summitt, who
brings a 913-177 all-time record into the matchup.
Tennessee’s size and athleticism will challenge the Bruins,
who are featuring a bigger lineup this season. “Tennessee is
very gifted,” UCLA coach Kathy Olivier said.
“They’re extremely athletic. They’re big. They
have one of the best players in the country in Candace Parker. They
have a lot of options and a lot of versatility. It’s going to
be quite the battle. We have got to come in and bring our best
game.” Although Tennessee is 14-1 all-time against the
Bruins, Summitt will not be taking UCLA for granted. “Looking
at UCLA, they are a team that will challenge us in our transition,
primarily because they have a lot of different players they allow
to handle the ball and bring the ball up the floor,” Summitt
said in a teleconference Wednesday. “It will be a good test
for us because that is typical of what we will see as we continue
with our schedule. I think the biggest concern will be from a
defense standpoint, making sure we are matched up and we defend in
the transition game as well as in the halfcourt.” For the
Bruins, this game will be viewed in large part as a chance at a
learning experience without the pressure of a conference game.
“I guarantee you, after that game we’re going to walk
away and say, “˜These are the areas we have to do a better job
at,'” Olivier said. “We’re going to walk
away from Knoxville and be a better basketball team, regardless of
what happens.” The Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville is one
of the most intimidating places to play in women’s college
basketball, and the noise there will be a culture shock for the
Bruins, who have yet to play an away game this year. Instead of
preparing for the noise and intimidating atmosphere by using noise
machines, the Bruins are focusing solely on what they need to do to
compete. “This team is so young that we’re just worried
about what we need to do,” Olivier said. “We want to
make sure we’re on the same page. We have hand signs because
verbal communication is very hard there. Everyone has that
awareness factor at a very high level and we just need to go in
there and battle.” Olivier watched tape of Tennessee for the
first time on Tuesday, and the Vols’ ability to dominate in
multiple ways became apparent. “You cannot turn the ball
over, or they’re going to score,” Olivier said.
“You cannot give up (offensive rebounds), or they’re
going to score. Defensively, you have to contest shots, or
they’re going to score. They’re very talented in all
positions.” However, Olivier knows the Bruins cannot think
about the daunting environment, but must simply concentrate on what
they know. “To me, you play basketball in Pauley, you play
basketball in Knoxville ““ it’s all the same,”
Olivier said. “The basket’s the same height, the court
is the same dimensions, and hopefully we can go in there and just
play UCLA basketball.”
QUINN RACKING UP AWARDS: Bruin senior Noelle
Quinn has been piling up the preseason awards, including her most
recent listing on the preseason All-Pac-10 Team. She is also on the
Wade Watch List, is a preseason candidate for the Wooden Award for
the third consecutive year, and is listed by ESPN as a top-five
player at the wing position nationally.
PARKER A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH:
Tennessee’s Parker became the youngest player ever selected
to the USA Senior National Team this past summer.