When Tennessee takes the court Saturday against Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16, Rickea Jackson will have more on her mind than helping her team advance to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.
The last time these two teams faced each other Dec. 4, Jackson wasn’t in the lineup — the box score denoting it a coach’s decision. The Lady Vols were 4-4 at the time, a disappointing start to the season considering their No. 5 ranking in the preseason AP poll. Jackson’s prolific individual outputs hadn’t yet contributed to her team’s success. The Mississippi State transfer averaged 15.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during nonconference play, but Tennessee’s point differential was basically the same no matter whether Jackson was on the court.
Jackson’s “indefinite” absence, in the words of coach Kellie Harper, ended up lasting two games. What could have been a splintering moment for a squad already dealing with plenty of challenges — among them a brutal nonconference schedule and starting center Tamari Key’s season-ending health scare — ultimately brought out the best in Jackson, making her realize how she had to grow for her sake and for the betterment of the team.
GO DEEPER
Tennessee’s Tamari Key to miss remainder of season
So when the fourth-year senior looks…
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