Tennessee's Kelly Jolly drives against Old Dominion during the Lady Vols' 68-59 national championship game win in 1997.
After today's practice, Tennessee will climb aboard a bus and take a trip back in time.
Part of the journey to Bowling Green, Ky., for the Lady Vols' opening game of the NCAA tournament will be devoted to watching "The Cinderella Season", the HBO documentary of UT's 1996-97 national championship season.
"They're excited,'' said UT coach Pat Summitt, referring to the players. "They want to see it."
No. 5 seed Tennessee (22-10) plays No. 12 Ball State (25-8) at approximately 9:30 p.m. Sunday (TV: ESPN2). No. 4 Iowa State plays No. 13 East Tennessee State at 7 to open the first-round doubleheader of the Berkeley (Calif) regional.
The winners meet Tuesday night.
The most obvious similarity between this March and 12 years ago is the 10 losses suffered by both teams. Freshman Alicia Manning noted the correlation after Tennessee was bounced from the SEC tournament by Auburn, 78-58, on March 7.
"We're trying to be the Cinderella story, I guess,'' she said. Cinderella Part Two. I don't know. We're young, but that's not an excuse. We're practically all sophomores now this late in the season."
The loss column aside, there are noteworthy differences between the two teams. The biggest involve experience and profile. The 1996-97 squad had All-American Chamique Holdsclaw and several other veteran players who had played a part in a national championship run the previous season.
"This team has had it a little more challenging, just because of the youth,'' Summitt said.
Regardless, the documentary will reinforce some principles that are timeless.
"I doesn't matter what's happened before,'' Summitt said, "it matters what you're going to invest in what's going to happen now."
Total Recall: Tennessee assistant coach Daedra Charles-Furlow has good memories of E.A. Diddle Arena, the site of UT's first round game.
As a Lady Vols sophomore, Charles played in Tennessee's 94-80 victory over Long Beach State in the 1989 East Regional final in Bowling Green. The victory punched Charles' ticket to her first women's Final Four. She sat out her freshman season as a Prop 48 student.
"I remember getting on my knees and pointing up to my grannie, because she had passed my first year (at Tennessee),'' said Charles-Furlow, recounting her victory celebration. "That season was really a dedication to her."
Charles-Furlow's strongest memories of that game revolved around a trio of senior teammates - Bridgette Gordon, Sheila Frost and Melissa McCray. Charles-Furlow recalled that Gordon's impact on the outcome went beyond actual verification.
"At one point (Long Beach's players) had gotten so mad because they claimed that Bridgette spit on somebody,'' Charles-Furlow said. "How I remember is because they had gotten so upset that it really took them out of their game. They were so focused on what Bridgette did, and I didn't even know if Bridgette did that."
Getting In Gear: After supplying their own practice attire for the past month, the Lady Vols will be wearing UT gear at Saturday's open practice, as mandated by the NCAA.
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Comments » 21
jr2miles writes:
Let's Go! Let's Go! Lets Go! I still believe we can shock the world ladies. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Lady Vols!!!!!!
xvolx writes:
enough talk. play ball.
CTOWNICON writes:
I love the way Bridgett Gordon played, she was relentless and tough. You would not take a rebound out of her hands. I think Glory with the way she rebounds reminds me a little of Ms. Gordon. All the motivation is good and I know it is going to light a fire under the lady vols. Lets get the party started! By the way, does anybody know where Bridgett Gordon is? When I started watching womens basketball it was because of her and when I saw how good she was. I have been a Lady vol fan ever since.
ALock4UT writes:
I'm pretty sure that every article I read you are the first to post. How do you have that much time to always be the first poster?
98reax writes:
Well, I was there in Diddle Arena for that victory, so needless to say I am not a high school student and I'm not listening to an ipod. I was a rookie-like fan of the Lady Vols, however, as I only enjoyed their first national championship from a distance in '87. I can tell you this, if we had a Carla McGee on this squad, the NCAA could just go ahead and FedX the NC trophy to TBA.
I caught the fever somewhat watching 'the train' and Bridgett and Sheila Frost whip up on LBS. It seems like forever ago now, but those were some scary tough ballers.
Instead, we have the new kids on the block. They too will look awesome cutting down the nets with Tyler and Pat. And The Train can grab another piece for her collection.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Nah, I'm just an illigal immigrant, listening to the tunes here at my grandmother's house! And on my way over last year, every time I almost got caught, i'd just say"Bush sucks", and they'd laugh, and i'd laugh and i'd pass through the lines, saying DOWADiddy!! Number 1!!!(Beats the hell out of being Number 2!)
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It's a nice line, but does lightning strike twice?? In stallworth's place it's strucken thrice!!! So why not twice ?/
98reax writes:
So Fleser, is that all you got?
reachkim00 writes:
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PUMPED UP FOR THESE LADIES!!!!!
There is nothing I look forward to more than Lady Vol basketball season and the tournaments. In the midst of all the craziness in our world today, they are a breath of fresh air always and I support them 200%!
Coach 'em up Pat and kick butt ladies.. Let's get this show on the road folks!
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!!!!! We fans love and support you all the way to St. Louis!!!
YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
reachkim00 writes:
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
LADYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
VOLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.. yeah, i'm a little pumped up!
ARE YOU??????????????????????
reachkim00 writes:
Ok, I'm outta here for the day. 98, LVFF, CTOWNICON, keep 'em pumped up in here! LET'S DANCE FOLKS!!
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jr2miles writes:
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Lady Vols!
I am so ready to watch this team compete for a National Championship! Let's Get it done! The Slipper will fit.
98reax writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
CTOWNICON writes:
The wicked witches from the big east will not win a championship this year either. They will go back to Uconn and calm down their bipolar coach for another losing effort.
CTOWNICON writes:
You can keep the cigar and the slippers, Lady vols want the trophy. You witches from the big east are like cok-roaches.
CTOWNICON writes:
I don't ask much of you girl! Why can't you give this lady vol site and the fans the respect they deserve by staying away from here.
xvolx writes:
we don't clean house. just laundry.
xvolx writes:
what happened to your positive attitude?
tenn32rebel writes:
DON'T FEED THE TROLL!!!!! LET HIM STARVE!!!!!
"rebel"
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
98reax writes:
GVX. you've got some 'splainin to do...
98reax writes:
You're right, Mikey. But they sure like yours. Actually I can honestly say that I've never posted anything vulgar. I don't think that way. I also do not attempt to be abusive, as you are most of the time. I simply defend my team. I dislike your offensive "rubbing our face in whatever." I'm not sure why GVX allows you to do that, but they do, so I respond sometimes, but never use vulgarity, or threaten, or defame. I don't need to. You write your own story every time you post.
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