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TAMPA, Fla. -- Not since Ferris Bueller took a day off has an entire school been so concerned about a student's welfare.
Wearing a shoulder brace under a long-sleeve blue T-shirt, Tennessee star Candace Parker jogged onto the court Saturday afternoon, much to the delight of the Tennessee faithful sitting in the St. Pete Times Forum.
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| Candace Parker says the 'shoulder feels strong,' but will it hold up against LSU? (AP) |
Parker's shoulder has been a Rocky Top concern since Tuesday. In the Midwest Region final against Texas A&M, Parker dislocated her left shoulder twice -- and popped it back in place twice -- in the first half before returning midway through the second half to lead UT to the Final Four.
Parker practiced Thursday but sat out Friday's.
"It's getting better every day," Parker said. "And I'm happy to play the late game (Sunday night) because it gives us more time to rehab."
Parker went through Saturday's light one-hour practice without any problems, and the right-handed junior even attempted a few left-handed layups.
Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said the 6-foot-4 Parker is nearly unstoppable when she gets in the lane.
"That's where the hardest matchup is, is when she's in the lane, when she's around the basket, because it's just very difficult to keep her from getting the shots she wants to get," said Auriemma, whose Huskies play Stanford in Sunday's early semifinal before Tennessee plays LSU.
"And because she can score in more than one way."
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt acknowledged that a less-than-100-percent Parker is better than most. "With one hand she's better than a lot of players," Summitt said.
The Lady Vols were able to eliminate Texas A&M with an ailing Parker, but will it be enough to handle their Southeastern Conference rivals? Earlier this season, LSU handed Tennessee its worst home loss since 1996.
Also, what strategy will LSU use against an opponent with an obvious injury?
