High hoop hopes

"My job as a coach is to see more in others than they do themselves," Summitt said. "I've told Vicki she can be a difference maker and an impact player right now."

There have been flashes. Baugh pulled down 16 rebounds against Louisiana Tech; had six rebounds and four points in just nine minutes against Old Dominion; recorded 11 points and seven rebounds against Gonzaga; had 11 points and five rebounds against UCLA; and grabbed 10 rebounds against Kentucky.

Playing time comes with consistent performance, and minutes have fluctuated for Baugh – as few as four and as many as the 25 she played against Kentucky.

Perhaps it's youthful inconsistency, but Summitt has little time for that. Baugh knows she is supposed to toughen up her game, take command in the low post and be a dependable force for the country's third-ranked team with national-championship expectations.

"For Vicki, coming here is like being in the military," said Dean Lockwood, a Lady Vols assistant coach. "It's one thing to teach someone how to use a weapon and how to fire one. With Vicki, we're not only teaching her how to use the weapon, but we're stressing the right situations to use it."

Tall, slim and quick, Baugh can shoot from the perimeter, handle the ball, deftly pass and set up teammates, rebound – play any position. But she admits her game lacks the muscle she's expected to provide.

"Everything I've learned about the post game, I've learned here," she said. "It's a tough transition. But the way I see it, I'm adding something extra to my game."

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The Tennessee way almost ensures the Lady Vols will be a tough bunch, something Baugh remembers each day when she and her teammates battle the all-male practice team Summitt put together. The coach started having her teams practice against men in 1974, and as with previous practice outfits, these are experienced players. For the compensation of free Lady Vols apparel, the men ensure the women will be challenged.

"In high school, I probably gave about a 75 percent effort in practice," Baugh said. "With the guys, you have to bring 100 percent. You can't slack against them. Plus, I think they're probably better than some of the teams we play."

The guys are directed to compete hard – no cheap shots or gratuitous elbows allowed – and are considered key components of the Lady Vols' success.

"Things can get competitive sometimes," Baugh said. "So the coaches tell the guys to calm down. I received an elbow to the stomach or a hard push sometimes because the guys hate to be shown up by girls."

Michael Scruggs, a 6-1 member of the practice team who frequently plays against Baugh, said she has immense talent.

"But … she's got to get a mean streak if she really wants to take it to the next level," Scruggs said.

Summitt agrees. "Vicki has incredible talent," she said. "What we're trying to do is get Vicki to recognize it. And we need her to do it quickly."

Talk of an on-court personality make-over doesn't bother Baugh, who realizes that her goal of playing professional basketball depends upon it.

"I have to (be more aggressive) if I want to stay in the program," Baugh said. "If I don't, then Pat won't play me. I have some time (to learn) but not a lot."

Anosike faced similar challenges, but she adjusted to Summitt's play-tough edicts and shares what she has learned with Baugh – who, despite her can-do proclamations, has had a tough learning curve.

"Oftentimes, I saw Vicki hang her head when she couldn't get it," Anosike said. "I knew I had to be there for her so she wouldn't lose her confidence.

"During my freshman year, I didn't have anyone there for me, telling me things would be OK. So that's why I've been there for her."

That upperclassman support was a surprise.

"Honestly, I thought coming in I would experience an attitude where, 'You're a freshman, and I'm not going to let you take my spot,' " Baugh said.

"But my experience has not been like that at all. 'Nick' has definitely helped keep my spirits up in a big way. … She has helped me work on my game and helped alleviate some of the frustration and confusion that develops sometimes."

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