The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Alicia Payne (1) makes her way down court as the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Ariel Massengale (5) guards Friday, November 9, 2012 at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.
University of Tennessee at Knoxville coach Holly Warlick watches the game against The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Friday, November 9, 2012 at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's head basketball coach Jim Foster smiles during a presentation made to celebrate his 800th career win after UTC defeated Samford at McKenzie Arena.Two seasons ago, Tennessee women's basketball coach Holly Warlick's head coaching career got off to a rough start at McKenzie Arena.
"My first coaching experience was in a loss at UTC, and you always have that in the back of your mind," Warlick said of the Lady Vols' 80-71 loss to Mocs on Nov. 9, 2012. "UTC was outstanding and that was a tough loss, but I think it got us focused on the rest of that season."
The early stumble seemed to focus the Lady Vols for longer than that, as Warlick's Tennessee teams have posted a 60-13 record -- including an SEC tournament title last season -- heading into a return to McKenzie to take on the Mocs tonight at 7.
Six current Tennessee players were on the team that lost to UTC, while only two Mocs -- senior Ka'Vonne Towns and junior Alicia Payne -- played in the 2012 game.
"It was a great feeling," Towns said of beating Tennessee. "We were all really excited after the win, and it really carried over throughout that season."
Tennessee is off to a 4-0 start this season, and UTC coach Jim Foster's young team -- somewhat more battle-tested after going 3-2 in tough early going that included a loss at No. 2 Notre Dame -- will need a near-perfect game to pull off a second straight home win over UT.
"We have to not turn the ball over and not let them have a feast on the boards," Foster said. "It's pretty simple; now we've just got to do it."
That won't be easy against a Lady Vols team that is averaging 91.5 points per game while giving up fewer than 50 per contest.
"I like where we are right now," Warlick said. "By no means have we reached our potential, but our effort is there. As a coach, you don't want to have to teach effort, and I think we play hard and practice hard.
"Every night when they go out, I want to make sure they put it all on the line, and for the most part I think they've done that."
So far this season, UTC primarily has been getting it done on defense, holding opponents to 60.8 points per game against a tough schedule, and driving to the basket more. The Mocs shooting less than 30 percent from 3-point range isn't a concern for Foster.
"If you live and die with that shot, you'll die a lot more than you'll live," he said. "We'll probably get a lot more of the old-fashioned three-point plays to make up for that."
Even after the Mocs lost so many players from last season's Southern Conference championship team, Warlick knows to expect them to give her team their best shot in the Lady Vols' first road game this season.
"I have a great amount of respect for the program in Chattanooga," she said. "They've always been competitive, always been tough and are always winning their league. This is a great opportunity for us to go on the road and see how we play on the road against an extremely solid UTC team."
Foster had praise for freshman Keiana Gilbert coming out of UTC's 76-65 win over Austin Peay on Monday. In a game where the scoring line was dominated by her sister Aryanna's 26 points, Keiana had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds and had an impact far beyond the top-line numbers. For her performance in games against Butler, Notre Dame and Austin Peay, Keiana Gilbert was named Southern Conference freshman of the week Tuesday.
"I grade players every day, and I give two points for a rebound, two points for an assist," Foster said. "You miss a layup, I take three points away; you turn the ball over, I take two away, and a deflection, a steal or a blocked shot gets you points.
"But you get no points for scoring, and (Keiana Gilbert) had plus-46 (against Austin Peay). That's an unbelievably impressive number."
While Tennessee's loss at UTC two seasons ago is a lesson about never underestimating an opponent, Warlick also thinks it says good things about how far the women's game has come.
"That game was a prime example that women's basketball is getting better," she said. "The talent is getting better and the coaching is getting better. I know Jim Foster, and he's an outstanding coach. You can't just be an outstanding coach and be in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
"We will not take (UTC) lightly, I promise you that. If we do, we'll get our butts beat."
Contact Jim Tanner at jtanner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6478. Follow him at twitter.com/JFTanner.