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Tennessee's Lady Vols recover from a shocking lossThe NCAA Women’s Basketball playoffs always bring surprise and drama, but I can’t think of any greater shock than watching the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers fall to first-time dancers Ball State last Sunday.
The result was more than a blow to me, as a die-hard Lady Vols fan(atic). The game was historic — it was UT’s first loss in the first round of the WBB championship. It was the team’s first tourney loss to a seed lower than four. And it was the first time ever that the previous season’s defending champion lost in the first round. Worst of all, however, is the fact that Vols fans can’t blame officiating or injuries or exhaustion. Ball State simply outplayed Tennessee. Just writing that gives me a slight lump in my throat. Watching the Lady Vols play is one of my favorite things in the world. And coach Pat Summitt is a personal hero.
Summitt has coached the Lady Vols since 1974 — she was 22 years old. Earlier this year, she won her 1,000th game, the most wins for any coach, male or female. Yet, this year, she had a team that never quite got it. Yes, they are young. But the passion and focus that make UT so much fun to watch was missing. And Pat is not about to let her women off the hook. Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Vols had practice.
“We’re not going to accept losing in the first round game and go on spring break; no,” Summit said. Before practice, in a team meeting, Summit had asked her players if they planned to stay. “We went around the table and I said, ‘you in or out. We need to know. I told them if you want to leave now’s the time. We’re getting ready to raise the bar on expectations.’” Meanwhile, the Sweet Sixteen is this weekend. Oklahoma, Stanford, UConn and Maryland are still present and accounted for, as expected. But Purdue sent North Carolina home and Duke fell to its coach’s former team Michigan State, led by rookie coach and Sissy Spacek look-alike Suzy Merchant. Rutgers rallied from an iffy season to crush Auburn, and injury-plagued AZ State defeated three-seed Florida State.
Ohio State, Vandy, Pittsburgh, Cal, Iowa State, Louisville, and Texas A&M are also on deck for the weekend. Wait, that’s just 15 — who’s missing?
Oh, that’s right — my alma mater. How silly of me. Never mind that I dream about Kim Mulkey punching the air on her way to consoling Geno with a soft “Good game” after Baylor CRUSHES UConn. Hey, you have your fantasies; I have mine.
What are your predictions for the WBB playoffs? Who will take home the trophy? Can UT return to glory next season? Submitted by on March 26, 2009 - 3:00pm. |
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UCONN
SIGH!!
I have to agree with Sarcastically-Honest (can I call you SH?) Since Tennesee is out. I have to go with UConn. But, I'll be cheering for the PAC 10 teams that are still in the running.
I'm on staff at UCLA and, of course, I back the Bruins all the way, but if they aren't playing my next favorite team is the Lady Vols,( they are a great team, and I think Pat Summitt is hot.) I was stunned when I found out they lost in the first round.
The Bruins have not had been up to par, past few years and this year I wasn't expecting them to be tournament ready . But, with Nikki Caldwell at the helm....next year I believe they're going to be right up there with the Vols and UConn.
Peace, Joy and Love
Yupperoos.
Yep, SH is just fine.
UCONN
Pac 10 all the way...
uconn !!
Ball State Cardinals!!!!
Yes, they did.
As an Indiana native I have
As an Indiana native I have to give props to Ball State for taking it to the Vols-wow what a game! Pretty exciting to see BSU go so far in their first NCAA Tournament bid. At any rate, I'm actually all for Purdue making a deep run-looks like they have a great chance. Go BOILERS!
Am betting on Uconn too
Am betting on Uconn too ..it was sad to see the vols fall to ball state am not a fan of tennessee since am a bulldawg but i couldn't believe it they are such a good team ...
http://hurtbrok3n.blogspot.com/
uhhhh
Go Dores!
Go Vandy!
Next game face UMD, gonna be rough...
Photography, Bicycle, Motorcycle, Tennis, Badminton, Motorcycle, Bowling, Traveling, Engineering
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Stanford? anyone, anyone....
Just a few items for pondering. 1) What about Stanford? As Tennessee has bowed out not very gracefully, Stanford seems to be a good bet to take down the mighty Huskies, or did I miss something? 2) Linster, I am not sure we will know Tennessee HAS recovered until next season. Obviously Coach Summitt has the fire and eyes burning, and rightly so. This version of Lady Vols never got the swagger, never drank the Orange koolaid, like you said, they just never got it. I hope Summitt runs um ragged this summer, NCAA permitting. C) Is it me, or is this final four going to look totally different than the last few years? Not bad for women's basketball, but I already miss seeing Summitt cutting down the nets. and last but not least, please, ANYONE but UCONN!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah!
Stanford over UConn in the final four this is my "upset." I mean Tennessee and UNC going down when they did, completely missed that one. But yeah, Stanford was my pick to win it all this year.
That's a shame for the Lady
Michigan State or Maryland
I'll take either one.
Big Ten
GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!
Go BUCKS!
I think it's UCONN's to
!!
Wow! I was shocked when I read this. I haven't been following recently..but the Lady Vols were my heart 2 years ago when Bobbit and Parker were on the team.
=S..wow.
On the Vols
I picked UConn in my bracket, but my heart wouldn't be broken if they lost (especially if they lost to Maryland). I'd say that I've enjoyed the tournament thus far, but really, I'm super-frustrated by the pre-determined sites. Hopefully the Sweet 16, with its regional sites, will prove more enjoyable.
And, certainly, kudos to Ball State for their historic win and for also having the greatest pregame routine EVER.
I have my own allegiances--to my alma mater, to the Lady Vols and to a handful of other teams when they aren't playing my alma mater or the Lady Vols--but the thing I love more than any individual team is the game of basketball.
And, as a fan of the game, I feel obliged to say this: the Lady Vols did not deserve their #5 seed. That fact's important to acknowledge, I think, because with the exception of, perhaps, Angie Bjorklund, there seemed to be a sense of entitlement on this year's squad--the team didn't need to practice hard or get in the gym regularly, they were Tennessee and it would be handed to them. Sadly, until Ball State, they were proven right in large part because people let them.
So, yeah...as a Vols fan, I hope the team gets back into great physical form, but more importantly, I hope they remember that the right to carry the legacy of the Lady Vols isn't just given, it's earned.
Ball State routine
Thanks for posting that link!
Regarding your comment about the UT sense of entitlement - Pat herself said right before the playoffs that she felt like the team was finally getting the idea that you don't win just because you're Tennessee. Hopefully, that will sink in before next season.
Terps all the way!!
Maryland is going to beat UConn in the 'ship. I'd take Marissa Coleman over Maya Moore anyday.
SIc 'Em Lady Bears!!
Um... everyone knows that the Baylor Lady Bears are gonna win. Why? Because we've got Kim Mulkey, enough said. The Final Four is going to be great to watch :)
<3 Baylor Girl
Go Lady AGS!!!!
I am pulling for both Big 12 Teams...so good luck to Baylor Bears as well. But I have to say that my Lady Ags are looking good in their first 2 games, defeating both their opponents by 20 points. I know this is their year to make the Final Four....WHOOP!!!!
Asa RU student/ season
Asa RU student/ season ticket holder myself, I'm going to have to go with the Knights on this one. If they can keep their act together and play like they did Monday night, they have some what of a chance. They just have to keep their heads in the game and their mind on the court.... My bet? They'll make it to Final Four and fall to Maryland.
If they fall apart like they have periodically this season, I'm going to have to choose MD, although UConn is the most likely winner here....
UT WOOT WOOT
-Lori