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Adams: No phoning in effort

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 12:09 a.m., March 18, 2008
Updated 02:11 a.m., March 18, 2008

Everything points to another Final Four for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

They're coming off an impressive victory against LSU to win the SEC tournament. They arguably have the easiest path to the Final Four of any No. 1 seed. And they have the history: seven national championships, 17 NCAA Final Fours, and a 98-19 record in the NCAA tournament.

With all that in their favor, what could go wrong?

Coach Pat Summitt, the driving force behind all those championships and tournament victories, knows what can go wrong as well as she knows what it takes to win a championship. That's why her team is sure to hear three words over and over before it plays Oral Roberts in the first round of the tournament.

The words: "Respect your opponent."

Summitt knows her team will probably win its first-round game by 30 points or more. But she knows just as well what can go wrong. So she will say, "Respect your opponent," before the first game and every other game in this tournament.

She said it before playing Duke in the East Regional final in Greensboro, N.C., in 1999.

But saying it isn't enough. The team has to be listening.

Summitt's 1998-99 team was going for a fourth consecutive national championship. It had the game's best player in Chamique Holdsclaw, and the game's second-best player in Tamika Catchings. Semeka Randall, a third All-American, was right behind them. Then came veteran point guard and team leader Kellie Jolly. With all that talent, experience and history, what could go wrong against a modestly talented Duke team?

Summitt knows what can go wrong.

"The day before we played Duke, I had a sick feeling in my stomach," she said Monday night after this year's tournament field was announced. "I did not think they were ready."

The next day, after a pregame meal, Summitt went for a walk on a bike trail. The same sick feeling returned. And it had nothing to do with what she ate.

"They had already won three in a row, and they thought, 'We're gonna walk in here and head to San Jose (for the Final Four),' " Summitt said. "Going back, I wish I had gone in and just 'gone off.' "

She didn't. Instead, she thought, "It's me. Maybe I just did not read them."

One game later, she realized she had never read a team better.

Holdsclaw, who excelled in big games, had a rare off-night shooting against an aggressive Duke defense, and her star-studded supporting cast faltered as well.

A year earlier, UT's unbeaten national championship team was down by 12 points to North Carolina in another regional final before rallying in the last seven minutes for a 76-70 victory. But basically the same group of players mounted no such comeback against Duke.

"I think they were probably in shock," Summitt said.

Duke ended UT's run of three consecutive national championships with a 69-63 victory. The defeat had a lasting impact on Lady Vols basketball.

After the loss, Summitt remembered more than her sick feeling the day before the game. She remembered how all her players were chattering away on their cell phones.

Since then, UT players have been required to turn in their cell phones the day before a game - just another reminder to "respect your opponent."

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

       34 Comments

Posted by Bigger_Al on March 18, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams doesn't clean it up when his dog poos on his neighbors lawn.

Posted by clenney6 on March 18, 2008 at 4:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just another reminder John.... "Respect Phillip Fulmer!"

Posted by wjackson on March 18, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bigger_Al LMAO!!

Posted by dburgin0114 on March 18, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ditto for the Bruce Pearl's team.

Posted by pdhuff on March 18, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ZZZZzzzzz. This rarely happens with Pat's teams.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 18, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams is an LSU grad, right? That makes him quazi cajun by default, right? Most cajuns are French, right? See where I'm going?

Posted by GoVol on March 18, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John - no one is reading!

Posted by rockyknox on March 18, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did Johnny say something?

Posted by Pullingguard on March 18, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just keep writing John, all these elephants will soon forget, me included, that you wrote an inappropriate column critical of the man who walks on water, namely Phil Fulmer.. Now since we have established his talent for walking on water we will next judge his coaching ability with the forthcoming football season.. He better excel.

Posted by knoxsingle on March 18, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can Adams be assigned to cover the crime beat or something, KNS? Sports isn't his venue.

Posted by TheVolMan on March 18, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ah, the JA boycott weenies are out in force today! Well guys, continue to WEENIE ON when you can't handle the truth. Just WEENIE ON and shoot the messenger--much easier that way--takes no independent thought.

Posted by VolnFlorida on March 18, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article John. I appreciate the insite.

Posted by DCSOvol on March 18, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The only reason Fulmer walked on water was the plexigalss hidden under the surface of the water named David Cutcliffe. Now that the plexiglass is gone, lets see if the notsoslimone can keep his butt afloat, much less walk. Keep telling it like you see it John. You are paid as a journalist, not a cheerleader.

Posted by rockyknox on March 18, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John is simply paid to pedal newspapers. He is a cowardly hack.

Posted by Volchaz on March 18, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is Johnny still upset that LSU didn't get a #1 seed? Typical

Posted by LargeOrange on March 18, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by Ashley at 12:03 p.m. "HELLO!!!!!! Why isn't anyone questioning why Pat Summitt was illegally walking on a biking trail?"
LOL Yet another example of the "criminal activity" that is tolerated at UT. This is how JA phones it in - "... hello, Mr. Finebaum, yeah, it's me, John ... John Adams, ... from Knoxville, remember you had me on your show last month? uh I was calling to see if I could I do another segment on your show? I have some more "criminal activity" to report to your Alabama listeners, this time involving Pat Summitt... what?, no I don't think she was jumping up and down and waving her arms at the time... well ok, I'll call back if I hear anything else suspicious is going on over here. (click and dial tone) Mr. Finebaum? Hello Mr. Finebaum?"

Posted by tdforvols on March 18, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"They arguably have the easiest path to the Final Four of any No. 1 seed.".......Funny, an article posted on espn.com says the Lady Vols have the hardest Path. To view the article go to :http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/ncaatou...

Posted by rockyknox on March 18, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnny really wants to be UT grad Paul Finebaum's buddy so bad. The good thing about Paul is that he left the good state of Tennessee. Wouldn't it be great if Johnny did the same?

Posted by fireadamsbynotbuyingkns on March 18, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is this guy always soooo good at remembering losses? Why not talk about one or two of the times when a coach at UT does it right?

Posted by rockyknox on March 18, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fjabnbkns, did he talk about losses again? I didn't waste my time reading his scribble.

Posted by ect1983 on March 18, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You boycotters of JA sure do check his column out all the time. GoVol,.."No one is reading.".You are; RockyKnox.."John Adams is a cowardly hack"...Looks like you read the award winning columnist ; by the way, calling someone a coward because you disagree shows the maturity of a 12 yr old..I assume you are. Won any awards for being the best in the state @ what you do ?
Pullinguard and Volman...good posts..If the Vols lose to Bama, Auburn,Fla,UGA, and I truly hope they don't,I think their orange tinted glasses will get corrected

Posted by rockyknox on March 18, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He was a coward for questioning Coach Fulmer's intregrety in the paper. I bet he wouldn't do it to his face. He can question his record all he wants. But what he did was so wrong. By the way... no I did not read this article.

Posted by TurboFan on March 18, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's illegal to walk on a bike trail? Man, and I thought they were anal retentive here in Ohio.

Posted by gtown_vol on March 18, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Retire.... don't read Adam's

Posted by LargeOrange on March 18, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ect1983 at 1:53 p.m. "Won any awards for being the best in the state @ what you do ?"
No, but Coach Fulmer did, this year.

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/f...

TSWA honors Fulmer, Bennett
Friday, Feb. 22, 2008
Earl Bennett, the star wide receiver from Vanderbilt, was named College Football Player of the Year and Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee was selected College Football Coach of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

Of course, the Haters jumped to belittle and ridicule CPF for winning an award for in your words, "being the best in the state @ what (he) does"

Posted by murrayvol on March 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guess there'll be no texting after the opening round. Ouch!

Posted by cdldoc on March 18, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I won't read it. Did Adams phone in another one of his efforts at writing?

Posted by FireJohnAdams on March 18, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley wrote: "ect1983, Why is it okay for you to voice your opinion and bash the posters who bash John Adams but not okay for the posters to voice their opinions and bash John Adams? It seems as though you might have the same grudge as certain others do."
*********************************
Right On....or Write On....you are oh so correct!

Posted by 98reax on March 19, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, that was a great article. Right on the money too. Funny how I was just thinking of that very season when I just happened to log in. That was such a hard loss and so unnecessary. Lady Vols had let the previous season go to their swelled heads. They had the audacity to call themselves "America's Team." The '98 undefeated national champion team was indeed a great one. But as I heard it from some media horses' mouths "they thought they were too good to talk to the media." When they arrived at the Greensboro Regional they expected their opposition to just lie down and hand them a ticket to San Jose. Duke had other plans. Apparently "America's team" had forgotten to charge their phones on that night in Greensboro because the only number they could reach was a 6-point loss in the regional finals. I grieved for days and days over that one, I think that's why I get so bent out of shape when they celebrate on the floor during a game. It is a sick, sick feeling when the tables turn.

Posted by ect1983 on March 19, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear FireJohnAdams----and all you Boycotters---The KNS wont fire John Adams---They love his columns, as do I and many others. As evidence of his popularity, look at the reactions as in the number of posts to his columns. Positive or negative columns, you John Adams hating moths are driven to the flame.The KNS just wants posts. Their advertising in the paper and on the net goes up(as do their revenues) when issues are sold, and POSTINGS are done in re a column.And for those of you who say you are boycotting his column,your posts (stating the very obvious) are evidence that you read ALL of them, and all the posts.
Go back and get some old Knoxville Journals and read Ben Byrd...a very nice man who wrote very nice columns.
And LargeOrange (aka Tinted Glasses)...you missed the WHOLE point...I never mentioned CPF;and I am not a CPF hater.....THe "best in the state in what he does " was referencing the awards that John Adams has won for best in the state in writing and editing. So, if you really want to "hurt" the KNS, hit em in the pocketbook by boycotting the net, the issues and their sponsors...but if you boycott the net and the issues, you won't know who the sponsors are, will you ? John, we love you and your columns....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK !!! We need more like you.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 19, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, etc1983 (AKA biFocals with distorted view of the past) You are the one that missed the point. I obviously understood your reference to JA's best in the state awards, but yet several people on here would like to see him fired. As a simple illustration, I then made the point that CPF won best coach in the state award this year, ironically awarded by Adams peers, but yet you and a few others would like to see him fired. GET IT NOW? Did you ever think that some people on here are being sarcastic about firing Adams and calling for boycots, that obviously wouldn't result in his firing, to illustrate how ridiculous it is to most TN fans to see how you and your buddies that persist is calling for Coach Fulmer's job, some even calling for boycotts of Neyland stadium (LMAO) to persuade the administration to fire CPF? He can write what he wants, but I do think what Adam's did by coming to Birmingham and Atlanta and exaggerating the off field problems in Knoxville, to Alabama, Auburn and Georgia sports fans (and potential recruits) was over the top and did nothing to generate advertising revenue or subscribers for KNS in another state. Do I think it matters a hill of beans what people say in these posts about Adams? No, just like it probably matters about the same what all of the Fire Fulmer people post. It seems some can dish it out but can't take it, or apparently even understand direct responses in a debate. As a wise man once said, "don't bring a knife to a gun fight".

Posted by kimzy1961 on March 21, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey VOL fans!
How about helping a BIG ORANGE BROTHER out!
Click or copy and paste the link below and vote for awVols1985, the TENNESSEE representative on CBSsportsline's Member Mayhem contest! Once you get there click on the page 1 link to cast your vote. Let's keep UT in the essay tournament too!
Thanks for your interest and participation!

http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....

GO VOLS ! ! !

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