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Parker Will Be Key For UT

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 8, 2008

ESPN reporter Holly Rowe breaks down the challenges for Tennessee in tonight's national championship game against Stanford:

Stanford did a great job controlling the pace against Connecticut. Connecticut kept trying to force a transition game, and Stanford just never let them get in that running battle, they controlled the tempo.

For Tennessee, their strength - they feel their strength is their running game. The key will be, can they get Stanford in it.

Who wins the battle of that pace?

Concerning Candace Parker who dislocated her left should twice last week and is playing with a brace, I feel like as good as Candace can be physically, I think she is mentally and emotionally exhausted.

She's had no time to herself between press conferences, award banquets and then rehab. When she's not in the public eye, she's rehabbing. She's had no down time since she hit Tampa, and I think the kid is tired. Can she get rejuvenated by tonight frankly?

Stanford won the first game 73-69 in overtime on Dec. 22, and Tennessee's not used to losing. Coach Pat Summitt told us earlier that after that Stanford loss during Christmas break, she stewed and stewed and stewed - feeling that she had not been hard enough on her players and she had been maybe too lenient in a few areas, so she really changed things. They got back from Christmas break and it was a tougher, harder Pat Summitt.

If Candace gets 13 rebounds again like she did against LSU, Tennessee can win. What she didn't do against LSU was score points, but what she did do was give them other opportunities, and she defended. She did a lot more than just give them points, she gave them heart.

Experience is always an advantage with Tennessee going for a second consecutive title, but talking to the Stanford players, they are on an unbelievable high. They are so poised. They've been through the fire. You can't speak for the players, but I wouldn't think they would be a shrinking violet.

For Tennessee to stop Stanford's Candice Wiggins, what they all said, to a player, was to limit her touches. The problem is, Stanford is an excellent passing team. The key to some of their big shots against UConn was their ball movement. Their ball movement is underrated and very important.

Having Pat Summitt on the sideline is always an advantage, bottom line. It is an advantage having that woman on your side.

Brett McMurphy

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