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We hope you are ready for a season unlike any other: testing, distancing, and bubbles, oh my! Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, or whether anything actually will happen…but in the meantime we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches/administrators in the country. We continue our coverage with Tennessee SR SG/SF Rennia Davis. She was a McDonald’s All-American in 2017, made a game-winner in the SEC tourney in 2018, and led the conference in FT% in 2019. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Rennia about graduating last May and her expectations for this year.
In 2017 you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what made you choose Tennessee, and what was it like to have so many of your fellow honorees become your future teammates (Anastasia Hayes/Kasiyahna Kushkituah/Evina Westbrook)? I chose Tennessee for several reasons but the main reason was the legacy that exists here. I wanted to play where other great players had played before me so that I could measure myself against them and hold myself to a higher standard. You cannot win any kind of title by yourself, especially in the SEC, so joining 3 other All-Americans was a good way to try to do that.
You play for head coach Kellie Harper/assistant coach Jon Harper: what is it like to play for a married couple? It is definitely different: I had never been coached by a married couple before but it is refreshing/humorous. They have different personalities and it is nice when they bring their kids to practice.
You scored 12 PPG as a freshman and started 32 of 33 games: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just wanted to play my game. I was able to get my feet in the water and was just playing without thinking about it too much. As a freshman you just want to get onto the court so I decided to take advantage.
In the 2018 SEC tourney you scored 16 PTS including a 3-PT shot off the glass with 0.5 seconds left to clinch a 3-PT win over Auburn: did you think the shot was going in, and where does that rank among the highlights of your career? That was my 2nd big moment in a Tennessee jersey: my 1st moment was in our 1st exhibition game when I just walked out there for the 1st time. To have the poise/confidence necessary for my teammates to get the ball to me in the final seconds and then see me make the shot has just carried over ever since then. That shot is definitely up there: I hit another big shot recently but that is 1 of my favorite moments because it was my 1st game-winner.
In 2019 you led the SEC with 85.6 FT%: what is the secret to making FTs? Focus: you just step up to the line and shoot it like you have done so before. There were times as a freshman where I was worried about making them but eventually it became an easier process.
You were named an All-American during each of the past 2 years: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? I guess I should be thankful but to be honest my goal is to make 1st-team (not just honorable mention) so I still have some work to do.
In the 2020 SEC tourney you lost to Kentucky, then a week later you learned that the NCAA tourney was canceled due to the coronavirus: what was your reaction when you 1st heard the news, and do you think that it was the right decision? I was kind of shaken because our last game did not go how we envisioned it: we did not want to end our season on that note but it has given me added motivation this year. I feel that it was the right decision to cancel: I did not expect COVID to last this long but it has.
You graduated last May with a degree in hotel/restaurant/tourism management: how weird was it to graduate online rather than in-person, and when are we going to see you open up your own restaurant?! It was pretty weird: they shipped my cap/gown to Florida and my mom really wanted to attend the ceremony in person but just knowing that I got my degree in 3 years means a lot. I want to play basketball for as long as possible and then have a restaurant in the far-future.
Last January you lost to UConn on the road and this January you will be hosting them in Knoxville: how do you explain the rivalry to someone who has never seen it in person, and what will you have to do differently this year to beat them? Last year was my 1st experience with the rivalry. You feel the energy from everyone else around you: it is big for both schools’ fans and was created by 2 of the greatest coaches of all-time (Pat Summitt/Geno Auriemma). This year we just have to finish: I feel like we were a bit depleted after halftime and had some mishaps and turned the ball over too many times. If we finish this January then I think we will be fine.
What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? I just want us to get 1% better every single day. Even if we start at zero I want us to reach our maximum potential and get it rolling. I typically do not share my personal goals but I want to go to the WNBA after this season is over.