The jury's still out on whether No. 2 Tennessee's Candace Parker will be able to play in Monday's game against No. 7 Rutgers. Parker bruised her knee last Thursday during the Mississippi State game. The Lady Vols went on to win the game 87-69, but could be without Parker when they take on the Knights tomorrow.
Talking with reporters yesterday during practice, Parker said she intends to "rehab like crazy and become best buddies with trainer, Jenny Moshak". She's on crutches right now and Coach Summitt is "urging caution with the knee that' already had two surgeries". Both surgeries repaired a torn ligament that go back to the days when Parker was playing high school basketball. Coach Summitt won't decide until Monday if Parker will play.
Adding to the injuries for the Lady Vols this week: Freshman guard Angie Bjorklund broke her nose last Thursday and senior Alberta Auguste (foward) aggravated a shoulder injury as well. All in all it wasn't the best week for the Lady Vols, but remember they have a deep bench and know how to step it up.
Since the Tennessee/UConn rivalry game during regular season play cease to exist, the matchup between Tennessee and Rutgers is now regarded as one of the best rivalries in women's college basketball.
Make no mistake, there's a great deal on the line here for both teams. No. 7 Rutgers has been looking forward to this game since the Lady Vols crushed their hope of a national championship title last season. And after knocking off No. 1 Connecticut last week, the Knights are set to bring it in Knoxville.
With rumblings that Tennessee is in a position to regain it's No. 1 status in the polls this week, we'll have to wait to see if they can hold on to it by defeating Rutgers on Monday. But first we wait for word on Parker.
