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The word “wow” got a good workout Thursday night.
It was the first word out of Pat Summitt’s mouth in response to her 1,000th career coaching victory at Tennessee. It also applied to virtually every aspect of the Lady Vols’ play in a resounding 73-43 SEC women’s basketball victory over Georgia before a joyous crowd of 16,058 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“We’re really excited we played a 40-minute game,’’ senior forward Alex Fuller said. “We played the entire game, instead of a half or 30 (minutes).”
Four Lady Vols scored in double figures. Glory Johnson and Fuller led the way with double-doubles for points and rebounds. Johnson had a personal-best 20 points and 10 rebounds. Fuller had 13 and 10.
The individual scoring was just part of the dominant storyline for No. 12 Tennessee (17-5, 6-2 SEC). The team that had been hemorrhaging turnovers throughout the past three games committed just 11 against the Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Vols tore through a Georgia defense that had been allowing just 53.6 points per game and holding opponents to 34.8 percent shooting accuracy. The Lady Vols shot 45.6 percent from the floor and rang up 20 assists.
UT’s rebounding and defense was even better. The Lady Vols outrebounded Georgia 45-27. And they limited Georgia (15-8, 5-3) to 19 second-half points and 24 percent shooting (6 for 25) during the final 20 minutes.
The Lady Vols collaborated on virtually everything but their part in the postgame celebration. Johnson tried to credit Fuller and Alicia Manning for the bucket-full of glittery confetti that was dumped on Summitt during her postgame television interview. But Fuller would hear nothing of it.
“Alex Fuller had nothing to do with that,’’ she said. “That was all Alicia Manning.”
Christy Marshall led Georgia with 16 points, but the Lady Bulldogs had only four players score, period.
Despite his disappointment, Georgia coach Andy Landers was gracious in defeat. He referred to the 1,000th victory as “a wonderful thing for Coach Summitt and the University of Tennessee.”
“I think I was the first to be able to congratulate her tonight, which was a neat thing,’’ he said.
Landers, who’s in his 30th season at Georgia and recorded his 800th career victory earlier this season, offered a respectful perspective on Summitt’s achievement.
“The thing that is impressive to me is the consistency with which they’ve done the things they’ve done,’’ he said. “You just don’t see the bar go that high and stay that high very often in anything. Think about it a minute. They’ve been able to do that for 35 years. Holy cow.”
Consistency has been harder to come by this season. There was no better example than the Lady Vols’ 80-70 loss to Oklahoma Monday night, during which they blew a 15-point lead in a matter of minutes.
The loss was doubly costly when forward Vicki Baugh went down with a season-ending knee injury.
In the wake of that defeat, the team held what Fuller described as a “Come to Jesus” meeting. According to Summitt, there was a wow factor to that get-together, too.
“Wow, if we don’t do something now, we’re in trouble,’’ she said.
Consider Thursday’s performance an encouraging response.
One of the few disappointments was a thigh contusion suffered by Manning. She played less than a minute and her status for Sunday’s game at Florida is uncertain.
Given the thoroughness of UT’s effort, Summitt likely will extend the players’ involvement in assembling the scouting report.
“We might want to do that,’’ Fuller said. “We worked really hard on that scouting report. Who knows? Pat might let us take that over.”
She’s more interested in them taking full responsibility for their effort.
“Hopefully, they understand what they did, and I think the results speak loudly for all of us,’’ Summitt said. “They all made a commitment to their goals and when you’ve got a team that’s willing to do that, they don’t have any excuses.”
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Comments » 95
mdvol writes:
Pat...you are the BEST! We are blessed to have you at UT. Thank you!!! Congratulations!
ladyvolsbballluver writes:
FINALLYYYYY!!
congrats COACH SUMMITT!!!
bluetick writes:
What an accomplishment! Proud to be a Vol! Thanks for all of your hard work Pat. Congratulations!
mdvol writes:
100% graduation rate and 8 national championships! Does it get any better? And all done with class and integrity.
tennman65 writes:
Pat,
it's great to be alive and well and be a tennessee vol!
Thanks for what you've done and better yet what you will do.
ncvol17 writes:
great speech she just made on tv...class act all the way.
Down_The_Field writes:
PAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT Baby!!!!!!!!
here's to ol tennessee...never we'll sever...we'll pledge our loyalty for ever and ever...backing our football team...faultering never....cheer and fight with all your might for.....TENN-E-SEE.
dang, i like singing that song.
Bufforange00 writes:
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IceVol writes:
So Proud!!!
RoadTrip writes:
Have known her for years and she is as good of person as she is a basketball coach. A straight arrow that wants it done right. Always gives credit first to others and to the Lord.
I guarantee she is already thinking about the next game and what needs to be done.
Class act indeed and the Vol Nation is very proud of her!
tennesseeike writes:
mdvol,you summed it up...pure and simple....
mad_poly_uct writes:
Congrats!! Quite the achievment.
hoosier_vol_fan writes:
Congrats Coach Summitt. 1000 wins and counting for a true Tennessee legend. This is my first comment and I'm proud I'm using it on someone so important as yourself.
ps11824 writes:
I was blessed to witness 1000! Thank you Pat! Thank you Lady Vols thru the years. Pat IS class personified.
mtownvol writes:
Truly an unbreakable record! Think about it folks. You have to average 33 wins for 30 years and you will still be 10 wins short of this record! Just incredible! Congratulations Coach! You are one of a kind!
walt23tn writes:
Coach Summitt,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Unbelievable, outstanding, and we are proud you are a Tennessee Vol.
MillisaAnn writes:
Congratulations Coach Summitt on your 1000th win!!! We are blessed indeed to have you at Tennessee. And Congrats to all the Lady Vols (Past or Present)
huntined#565710 writes:
THANK YOU COACH SUMMITT
huntined#565710 writes:
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dvhill100 writes:
A class act in every way. She simply brings out the best in people around her. Congratulations on a remarkable achievement.
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!!
ps11824 writes:
ONE THOUSAND WINS!!!!! Take that, and beat it if you think you're big enough.
Volfantm writes:
Lady Vols forever!
Pat's the best. So proud of all who helped make it to this level of success.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Congrats Pat!! You are truly a class act!
blitzshoot writes:
You now stand with General Neyland. But you were there before tonight. You are Amazing! You are the Best!
Thank you for devoting so much to Tennessee!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
GO PAT GO!! Time for a thousand more!!
ps11824 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BSweet writes:
Grats to a classy woman! Thank you Pat for all you have given UT. You are truly the best!
TopTenn writes:
Congrats to Coach Summitt, may you be blessed with 1000 more.
utang1602#204610 writes:
Hate to tell you this, but I don't think she'd agree with a coach running his mouth without being able to back his comments up with actual facts and rules.
xvolx writes:
most magnificent coaching resume that exist. What a class speech.
jr2miles writes:
Congrats Coach! No other coach in college baskeball deserve this win more than you. Coach have been a role model throughout her whole career and I wish her much success. Like coach said let make it to St.Louis and cut down the net. Go Vols!!!!!!!
drwfocus#660070 writes:
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VAvolfanRON writes:
well, im looking for 1001!!!....lol....always a negative person in the crowd (i hope yall see the sacrasm)
we are so proud Pat, Holly and crew....
But wow, did this ladies play great tonight or what?...where was that all season......i like her talk about a final four...after night....i think they can do it....i do not believe Ga is that bad...i think they are pretty good.....
Go lady vols!!!!
xvolx writes:
excellent defense and a forty minute effort by all.
VAvolfanRON writes:
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volball7222 writes:
Simply the best....
Please explain how she only has 7 coach of the year awards...Geno won last year...the week before he choked the semi game against Stanford....Pat "coached" another NCAA championship team. She should have had her 8th coach of the year...a long time ago.
VAvolfanRON writes:
peppervol
welcome,
what a time for a first post!..keep 'em coming. looking forward to more.
VAvolfanRON writes:
volball....i have to speculate that voters like to spread the wealth....
my opionion
Futurecoach16 writes:
Not to burst your bubble, but "Down the Field" is the fight song of the men's athletic department. That is why the band never plays it at a Lady Vols game. But WHOOO!!!
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
WOW!! I think we just played our first 40 minute game of the season! Hope we play for #1000 the rest of the year. I almost messed myself when Strick went down...but it is nice to know that we don't have to completely depend on her to score to win.
Congrats to Pat and the Lady Vol Nation. You have shown once again that you can out coach and out class anybody in the sport.
Where's Mr. U-can't? Must be praying to the Gods to give Guido Auri-enema even an ounce amount of class as Pat has!!
givehim6 writes:
BIG WIN! way to go coach Summitt!!
CTOWNICON writes:
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE LADY VOLS, THE COACHING STAFF AN ALL OF THE FANS. TO ALL OF THE PAST LADY VOLS CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER TO YOU AS WELL AN THE PAST COACHING STAFF. I AM SO HAPPY. SEE WHAT PLAYING DEFENSE AN NOT TURNING THE BALL OVER AN PLAYING FOR 40 MINUTES WILL GET YOU. IT GETS YOU A VICTORY AN LADIES YOU BEAT A GOOD TEAM TONIGHT. BRIANNA I AM PROUD OF YOU AN KELLY AN GLORY. YOU LADIES REALLY STEPPED UP TONIGHT. I AM PROUD OF ALL OF YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE GREAT TONIGHT. I ALWAYS SAW THE POTENTIAL BUT I GUESS YOU LADIES SEE NOW WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF. ALEX WELCOME BACK, YOU HAVE ALWAYS HAD THAT SHOT AN COULD ALWAYS MAKE IT, GLAD TO SEE YOU TAKING IT. GLORY KEEP WORKING AN TAKE ALL NEGATIVE CRITICISM AN MOTIVATE YOURSELF WITH IT. SHOW ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DOUBT YOU WHAT YOU CAN DO. KELLY YOU WERE A MONSTER TONIGHT, YOU SHUT ROBINSON DOWN, GREAT JOB. GREAT JOB ON TURNOVERS, YOU DIDNT HELP A TEAM GET POINTS WHICH IS WHAT HAS HURT YOU LADIES ALL SEASON. IVE ALWAYS SAID WHEN THE DEFENSE AN TURNOVERS SLACK UP YOU WILL START WINNING. ANGIE WAY TO STICK WITH IT. OVERALL GOOD JOB LADIES. TO ALL THE INJURED GET WELL SOON WE GONE NEED YOU DOWN THE STRETCH. LETS GO OUT AN GET 1001.
deakinbi writes:
Pat:
I'm proud of my University, and of my University's best representation of all the potential UT holds...Our Lady Vols Head Coach!
Even though I'm very far away, and have been for a long time, I recall clearly all the Sunday afternoons my parents and I spent watching the Lady Vols play while Mom and Dad were in visiting from 1980-1984.
Thanks for raising all our expectations of what's possible by setting great examples. 100% graduation, 1000 wins, done fairly, and with great determination. : )
Class of 1984
CTOWNICON writes:
DONT TALK THAT DEVIL UP LEAVE HIM IN HELL WHERE HE BELONGS. HE IS SUCH A NEGATIVE PERSON HE DOES NOT WANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.
DekanGator writes:
Congrats to Coach Summitt,
I can, and will agree, she is a class act. She represents UT and all the SEC with class. She Built the Woman basketball program every school was to be like. Her players finish school, and play hard every night.
Again Congrats Coach and all the Tenn Vol fans.
newtonrail writes:
memphistom aka David Winestone, there are Lady Vol fans in the Delta City. How hard would you be to find? Just wondering!!
abnerPeabody writes:
People,please leave off all the trash talking for a while and just enjoy this milestone.This night belongs to Pat and everyone that has been a part of helping her reach this lofty perch.There are many good coaches out there but her record will most likely never be touched.She is expected to coach several more years and each win will only add to the impossible. I like the fact she has graduated every single player she has coached.That is even more incredible.This day belongs to Pat. Let her enjoy it.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
Congrats to Coach Summitt on this tremendous milestone in sports....any sport, men or women !
You have given more than you could ever receive. Your dedication is awesome. You are the definition of "class" and I am so glad you are a Tennessee Lady Vol.
Congrats also to all your staff and players throughout the years. Everyone of them has been a part of this historic event. Your team tonight showed that they really have been learning what you have been teaching them. Thank you Lady Vols for giving your all for your coach tonight !
Volunteerfan writes:
To all fellow volunteer fans,
The thing that makes her record so special is not that she has won 1,000 games (that is an amazing accomplishment in itself), but she has only lost 186 games in her 35 year career. 186 games. The Lady Vols play the toughest schedule every year playing all the elite programs in women's basketball, except untill recently UCONN, and she has only lost 186 games in 35 years........AMAZING!! Congrats Coach you make it great to be a Volunteer!
tennesseebee writes:
Way to go, baby girl!! I hearby crown you the queen of Tennessee. Great job!
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