Lady Vols' Summitt considering five underclassmen starters

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Several Tennessee freshmen have stepped up their performances in practice enough to seal their spots in the starting rotation.

Coach Pat Summitt said Wednesday in her weekly media teleconference that 5-foot-2 freshman point guard Briana Bass will make her first start in place of redshirt sophomore Cait McMahan when the Lady Volunteers host Middle Tennessee on Thursday night.

Summitt also says she's considering a starting lineup that includes playing freshman Shekinna Stricklen at the wing, freshman Glory Johnson at small forward, sophomore Vicki Baugh at power forward and redshirt freshman Kelley Cain at center.

Summitt said Bass, Stricklen and Johnson have shown the most improvement in recent practices as they become more intense and improve their practice habits. Freshman Alyssia Brewer has also shown improvement and likely will be the first player off the bench.

With seven freshmen and only one senior, this year's Lady Vols squad is one of Summitt's youngest ever.

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