KNOXVILLE – Taber Spani has a good ear for shooting.
The Tennessee freshman is translating coach Pat Summitt’s advice into inspiration, converting 11 of 15 attempts and averaging 13 points for two NCAA women’s basketball tournament games. The output is more than double her season scoring average of 5.8 points per game.
The 6-foot-1 reserve forward made her first seven shots in Monday night’s 92-64 second-round victory over Dayton and finished 7-for-8 with 17 points, one shy of her season high.
“Coach Summitt always says, ‘Hunt for your shots when you’re in there. Hunt for your shots.'” Spani said. “It is a conscious mindset for me.”
Spani’s pursuit of points continues for top-seeded Tennessee (32-2) against No. 4 seed Baylor (25-9) in the opener of a Memphis regional semifinal doubleheader Saturday at the FedEx Forum. No. 2 Duke and No. 11 San Diego State play at about 2:30 p.m., and the winners will meet Monday night for a trip to the Women’s Final Four in San Antonio.
Hunting season for Tennessee’s shooters has been open all season, but Spani hasn’t always been able to take her best shot. Before the NCAA tournament, her last double-figure scoring game was 12 points against Mississippi State on Jan. 10. Thereafter, her season was slowed by a case of turf toe in her left foot. She missed two games and in 15 others scored a grand total of 46 points (3.1 average), attempting just 54 shots.
Her sudden surge reflects some improvement in her condition.
“It’s feeling better than it did mid-SEC (season) but definitely not even near 100 percent,” she said.
For the time being, it’s more about learning to manage the situation.
“I’ve grown so used to dealing with the limitations it provides,” Spani said. “Because it’s like I’ve lived with it for six months.”
With rest the primary remedy, Spani had to cut back on her extra shooting. At least that was the plan. Monday’s deadeye performance, which included shots from all points on the court, raised suspicions, however.
When asked about doing extra shooting, Spani stifled a smile while saying, “I’m not supposed to. I’m on a limited basis.”
She indicated that negotiations have been ongoing with Jenny Moshak, the Lady Vols’ associate athletic director for sports medicine. Spani jokingly suggested that she drives a hard bargain.
“I try to once or twice a week, but it depends if I can get it past (Moshak’s) eye,” she said. “No. She always knows, but she just knows I have to be careful, and she says that.
“I know my body. I know what I can and can’t do. I just know I need a certain amount of shots to be prepared. For me as a shooter, you need to get shots in.”
Whatever the routine, she’s suddenly becoming a viable threat. Her mere presence might draw some defensive attention off UT’s inside game as well as fellow sharpshooter Angie Bjorklund.
Summitt certainly hopes so, enough to overlook any of Spani’s defensive limitations.
“I’m not concerned about it,” she said. “I think she’ll stretch the defense. That’s going to open up the inside game.”
And that would mean better hunting for everyone.