Adams: Devils on a blue streak felt at home

Their fans provided a loud, large and colorful support system. Their opponent provided a No. 1 target.

Everything was in place until the target fired back.

No. 1-ranked Duke couldn’t have looked more at home if the crowd had turned blue, and the Cameron Crazies had showed up at courtside. The unbeaten Blue Devils scored the first 19 points, then spent the rest of the night looking over their shoulder in a 74-70 victory against the fourth-ranked Lady Vols.

The Blue Devils punished the UT crowd as much as its players.

Lady Vols fans don’t sit down until their team scores to start the game. Usually, that’s not a problem. But there was nothing usual about this.

Duke kept scoring, and UT fans kept standing. When the stand-up act reached the 5-minute mark, the game was no longer the main concern. This was becoming a health issue.

Finally, just when knees were starting to buckle and orthopedists were checking their schedules, Nicky Anosike saved the crowd — if not the game — by making the most merciful shot of the season.

By then, Duke’s Abby Waner had scored eight points, and teammate Lindsey Harding, six. By then, UT had seven missed shots, four turnovers, and one weary bunch of fans.

By then, UT’s men had made a better impression than its women.

A handful of UT men players entered the arena with their chests painted orange, marched down the steps to the front row behind one basket and spelled out "Go Vols" with the letters on their chests. The Vol with the "V" was coach Bruce Pearl, who has established himself as not only one of the most enthusiastic coaches in the country, but as the least pretentious.

Can you imagine Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski turning into a painted cheerleader for a women’s game?

"I’m going to suggest it," Duke guard Abby Waner said with a smile.

Suggest it, but don’t expect it.

Pearl and his players provided a rare demonstration of school spirit and support. The Lady Vols had the support, but the Blue Devils had the shooting, passing and defense.

At least, that’s how it started. The Lady Vols spent the rest of the game playing catch-up with a vengeance. They dominated the rebounding in the second half, hit 10 of 22 3-pointers and threatened to turn their most disastrous start into one of their greatest comebacks.

The Lady Vols overcame a 19-0 Duke lead and forced a 48-48 tie with 10:48 to play. They overcame the lead but not their free-throw shooting.

UT made 10 of 22 3s, but only eight of 17 free throws. What’s wrong with that picture? The numbers looked even worse on the same stat sheet with Duke, which was 14-for-15 at the foul line.

For all of the Lady Vols’ deficiencies, they showed why they’re a top-four team. They dominated rebounding (27-14) and made eight of 14 3s in the second half. They couldn’t keep up with Duke in the first six minutes, but they spent the next 34 minutes proving they can run uphill with anybody.

The Blue Devils also played up to their national ranking. Coach Gail Goestenkors has had more talented teams, but none more tenacious. They lost the momentum and their lead but not their poise, thanks mainly to point guard Harding, who had 21 points, seven assists and only two turnovers.

"Duke is a great team," UT guard Alexis Hornbuckle said. "Everyone is on the same page. They’re as efficient as possible.

"They did everything they were supposed to do."

They started fast and finished steady. And in the most hostile of environments, they didn’t take the crowd out of the game, but they kept it on its feet.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.