When an athlete feels it necessary to play their own game, while under direction of a coach, they are serving two masters.
Themself and the coach.
That splits their focus on the floor.
They think...
"What do I have to do to keep coach from pulling me"
and
"What can I do on my own to lead this group on the floor right now"
If the answer to both questions is the same, the coach and player are in unison.
If not, the player plays with constant divided-focus.
Teej,
This game and most games, will be won in the locker room before the game and at half-time.
What gets said, is paramount for a team of this level.
They KNOW how to play.
The question is "Has coach pushed the right buttons, upon the pre and half-time floor entries.
Has the coach told them
"Last week you took a step forward. You got punched in the face and you responded instead of going fetal and taking your licks. You competed . . .
It felt good didn't it?
Time for the next step.
To win a game you're not supposed to.
Every team you have whipped in the past wants to make this season tough on you.
But you ARE the Lady Vols.
You're job is to make it tough on them!
You girls are going to be in a dogfight out there. . . Bear your teeth right back and show them "smokey" is the big-dog here in Lady Vol country...."