No volunteers: after years of being overshadowed by a dominant Tennessee program, Vanderbilt has designs on being the best in the state—and the nation - 2001-02 NCAA Preview: Women's Top 25

Basketball Digest, Dec, 2001 by Carl Adamec

FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, Tennessee has looked Northeast to Connecticut for an archrival. But it may be time for the Lady Vols to look 180 miles down the road to Nashville.

Vanderbilt has had a No. 1-ranked team under coach Jim Foster, and the Philadelphia native took the Commodores to the Final Four in 1993. This Vanderbilt team, though, should be his best.

"We'll have to stay healthy and keep focused," Foster says. "And the players right now are doing a great job of that. They challenge each other to work hard. They talk about in how much better condition they are, that things that have proven to be difficult before aren't now. This team has the most weapons than any team I've had here."

A year ago, Vanderbilt advanced to the Midwest Regional final before falling to eventual national champion Notre Dame. Interestingly, the 2001-02 Commodores bear a striking resemblance to the Irish of last March.

Of course, those usual suspects--Connecticut and Tennessee--will be in the mix. Oklahoma, Duke, and Louisiana Tech should be, too.

"The more people that think they can win the national championship and feel like it's a realistic possibility, "Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma says, "the more exciting it makes the whole season."

1. VANDERBILT

The Commodores played their best ball in March, beating Tennessee in the SEC tournament and giving the Irish all they could handle before falling 72-64. Their entire starting lineup is back, wanting more.

"The players felt they could've played better in that last game," Foster says. "They certainly didn't walk off that court satisfied."

In All-American junior Chantelle Anderson, Vanderbilt has the best center in the country. She averaged 21 ppg on 72% shooting from the floor.

Senior forward Zuzana Klimesova is a perfect complement at power forward, averaging nearly a double-double last season. "Her ability to shoot and pass make her and Chantelle a tough two-some to defend," Foster says of Klimesova.

Senior swingman Jillian Danker is a threat from behind the arc, having hit 48% from three-point range last season. Junior point guard Ashley McElhiney has matured and should make a name for herself among the best at her position.

"Ashley is as good a leader as any out there," Foster says. "You need someone that will take charge and take responsibility. She wants the ball with the game on the line. Ashley willingly accepts those roles."

The stage has been set for a run at national championship.

2. CONNECTICUT

It's the final go-around for the "TASSK Force" recruiting class, led by All-American Sue Bird.

"They've won 97 games and a national championship, and have been to two Final Fours in three years," Auriemma says. "It's never as easy as people think it's going to be. If they can wrap this up with another Final Four, they will have left an indelible mark on our program and will have overcome an awful lot to accomplish that."

The Huskies got to the 2001 Final Four without injured All-Americans Svetlana Abrosimova and Shea Ralph, so Auriemma has already seen the good and the bad from the group that he'll put on the floor.

In Bird and sophomore stalward Diana Taurasi, the Huskies have the nation's best backcourt. Senior forwards Swin Cash, Asjha Jones, and Tamika Williams have had great moments in their three years, but now must put it together at the same time. If you're looking for a surprise, watch out for redshirt freshman Jessica Moore.

"There's no stepping back here, just an opportunity for other players to step forward," Auriemma says. "That's why these kids came here. There are different opportunities and new challenges. But I expect the five players we start and the top three coming off me bench to be good enough to help us win the national championship."

That's their task.

3. TENNESSEE

Six national championship banners are in the rafters of Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena. But it's been three frustrating seasons since the last one was raised.

"No one [on this team] has a championship ring, yet almost everyone chose to come here for the chance at a ring," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt says. "I think they understand we have to pull together."

Tamika Catchings, Semeka Randall, and Kristen Clement are gone. The Lady Vols have reloaded with the nation's top recruiting class, led by Shyra Ely and Loree Moore. But there are plenty of veterans to help them along.

Senior center Michelle Snow has to have a big year. Junior forward Gwen Jackson showed she's a star of the future with her second-half performance after Catchings was injured. Junior guard Kara Lawson appears better than ever.

Tennessee got a pair of bad breaks over the summer, though, as sophomore center Ashley Robinson suffered an ACL injury and freshman Courtney Young left the team for personal reasons.

Summitt may not have a Player of the Year candidate like a Catchings or Chamique Holdsclaw, but the Hall of Fame coach has plenty of depth to work with. "I don't recall having 14 people I felt could help us," Summitt says. "I like these players. They're all very motivated."