Packer: Summitt staying on top with some help from Pearl

"I asked Bruce for some advice last season when Alexis Hornbuckle went down with an injury," Summitt said. "She got hurt right before the Georgia game. I knew that they would start pressing us before we even got off the bus. Our two options to replace her at point guard were Shana Zolman and Candace Parker.

"I brought an assistant coach with me and he brought an assistant coach to the meeting. We sat down and just brainstormed about how to handle their full-court press. He had some great ideas for us and we won the game."

The relationship got off to a great start from the moment Pearl was hired at UT in March of 2005. He got on a plane and flew to the Lady Vols' NCAA tournament game the next night.

Summitt returned the favor last season when the Vols were at Florida. She sat behind the bench and watched Pearl sweat through his suit as the Vols beat the eventual national champions.

"Bruce and I have a great relationship. He's definitely one of a kind," Summitt said.

And, with top-ranked Duke coming to Thompson-Boling Arena Monday night, Pearl has talked about the most unusual gesture from a men's coach trying to support a women's program in the history of college basketball. Pearl said that he might take his shirt off, paint himself orange, and cheer for the Lady Vols while sitting in the student section.

"I told you, he's one of a kind," Summitt laughed. "Nothing that he might do would surprise me. He definitely loves Tennessee and is a great supporter of what we're doing. I have, however, told him that if he does take his shirt off and paint himself orange for us, don't expect me to return the favor."

One of the things that has impressed most UT fans is that Pearl hasn't missed a trick in any department. And, giving his full support to a women's basketball team that is the model program in the country was at, or near, the top of his greatest moves.

Summitt is approaching a record that may be untouchable. At the pace she's on, she'll collect win No. 1,000 sometime at the end of the 2008-09 season. Most Lady Vols fans are well aware of the numbers, but Summitt doesn't seem to be.

"You know, I haven't even thought about whether that record is "untouchable" or not," she said. "I really don't think about that stuff. My focus is on this team and its ability to win an SEC and a national championship. That is always our goal for every young lady who chooses to wear that orange jersey."

Many coaches and athletes have asked Summitt for advice. Quarterback Peyton Manning stopped by her office for a visit before he decided to return to Tennessee for his senior season. After 33 years on the job, Summitt might be the most recognizable Tennessean we have.

And, don't think Pearl didn't know that from the first moment he stepped on campus. Summitt will get that 1,000th win sometime in the next few years. Question is, will Pearl have his shirt off with orange painted on his chest when she does? One thing is for sure, whatever he's wearing, he'll be cheering louder than anyone in the arena.

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room at 10 p.m. on Sunday on My East Tennessee TV.