BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Tennessee Lady Vols described themselves as a changed team on the eve of the NCAA tournament. I assumed they meant for the better.
Oops.
An up-and-down team bottomed out Sunday night at E. A. Diddle Arena. The resounding thud from their awkward landing could be heard throughout women’s college basketball.
The two-time defending national champions got knocked out of the NCAA tournament by a tournament rookie. And it wasn’t even close.
Ball State played with more savvy, poise and intensity in producing the women’s college basketball version of “Hoosiers.”
The Cardinals had the stars. The Lady Vols provided the props in a 71-55 defeat.
The margin of victory was magnified by the disparity between the programs — in both statue and size.
Ball State had never played in the NCAA tournament. UT had never missed an NCAA tournament.
Not only had the Lady Vols never lost a first-round NCAA tournament game. They barely had broken a sweat.
UT’s closest first-round game had been a 23-point victory. Its average margin of victory in 15 first-round games was 44.6.
The stat was lost on Ball State, which hardly looked the part of the wide-eyed underdog. In fact, it looked more like a seasoned tournament team than the Lady Vols did.
The difference in size was as obvious as the programs’ uncommon history. In fact, it was almost comical.
Three of Ball State’s starters are 5-foot-8 or smaller. Guard Kiley Jarrett is 5-4.
UT’s smallest starter is 6-0. The next shortest is 6-2.
But the Cardinals looked bigger with every dribble. They also looked more confident.
As surprising as Ball State’s upset might have been, the reaction of its players — in some cases — was just as surprising. They didn’t seem all that shocked by the outcome.
“We were just confident coming into the game,” Jarrett said. “We knew what we could do.”
The Cardinals could do a lot more once UT 6-6 center Kelley Cain reinjured her right knee. Without Cain in the second half, a struggling UT offense practically ground to a halt.
The Lady Vols scored only 11 points in the first nine minutes of the second half. By then, the size differential had become irrelevant.
“We were concerned about the mismatch in height,” said first-year head coach Kelly Packard. “We did things strategically to address the size issue as best we can.”
But don’t get the wrong idea. This was more about effort than tactics.
Said Packard: “The biggest factor was sheer will.”
Surely, that wasn’t lost on UT coach Pat Summitt, who probably has never been more mystified by a team or a performance.
A day earlier, she talked about her conversations with former UT players, who told her they were encouraged by the team’s play in the recent SEC tournament.
“Our former players wanted to make sure the team was focused,” Summitt said. “I reassured them: ‘We are ready.’”
Conversely, Packard wasn’t so sure where her 12th-seeded team stood entering the tournament with a 25-8 record and a MAC tournament title.
“You have no idea where that places you against one of the best programs in America,” Packard said.
She found out Sunday night. And the premier program in women’s basketball found out something, too.
It’s not what it used to be.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 66
sayhitomaggie writes:
This has to be the toughest loss for Pat Summitt and the Women's basketball program. I guess we have to wait now for next year. Knowing Pat Summitt and what she can do with a little bit of time, this team will be unstoppable come next year...hopefully.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
"Ball State played with more savvy, poise and intensity in producing the women’s college basketball version of “Hoosiers.”
"
John, how frickin' stupid. Have the LV's played with 'poise' all season?? nope. intelligence? nope. skill?? nope. we just got our butts handed to us by a small, but smart team. the same team will most likely get wiped out by Iowa State, who knows how to bang and play tough. The Uconn'ers are laughing their collective butts off right now.
sugar-coat this however you want, but this goes right to Pat's doorstep and her recruitig the last few seasons. We are paying for the Lindsay Mosses, the Smallbones, the Grays, the Basses, and the Mannings. Do you see those types of players on UConn or Stanford?? Don't think so. Do you see UConn just falling off a cliff?? Nope.
Pat can NOT distance herself from this. No way, no how. To say "I just can't get through" is a copout. They are ALL in it TOGETHER, coashes and players.
newtonrail writes:
How many will call for Pat's head? No pun intended. Just a cycle of no upperclassmen, and injuries. They could never have gotten past Sweet Sixteen at best this year. Get em next year.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Ouch. Can you trade players in women's college basketball?
The only players I'd keep from this team is Stricklen, Manning, and Baugh. Cain is always hurt. Bjorklund runs like she's got 10lb dumbells glued to her shoes and is only good if she's wide open behind the arc for a spot up jumper. Glory Johnson should have stuck with track. Bass is a poor-man's Shannon Bobbitt. Amber Gray looks like she's never even played before. Brewer has potential but reminds me of that Doty girl who plays for Arizona State now with the clumsiness she shows. Oh, and the 1 senior (Fuller) wasn't good enough to play until we had 7 freshmen and she HAD to play.
It'd have been nice if we could have swayed that Griner girl (youtube her, she's 6'8 and can do windmill dunks) for next year. Seems like the only time we're championship contenders is when we have THE BEST player (Candace, Holdsclaw, Catchings, etc). UCONN could very well win the next 2-3 national championships if Pat doesn't recruit THE BEST player available. Not just top 10-20 ranked.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
no one will call for head, but some accountability in recruiting would be expected.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
she used to win, though, without superstars. She would have balanced teams. I think she is still trying to do that, jsut isn't getting the right player.
Why?? Hard to figure. Taht is why I say the staff needs to take a fresh look at who/waht they value in recruits.
kbart4033#247331 writes:
I realize that all these ladies came out of H.S. with huge
reputations and multiple stars by their names, but couldn't
someone on the staff see their incredible lack of quickness
and speed? And, not a pure shooter in the bunch. They are
all --let me be kind here-- supporting players. Problem is
there are no "A" players to support...It could have been worse: we could have drawn a more-appropriate 16 seed,
faced UConn and been the first shut-out victim in NCAA
history. Is there any quickness in next year's recruiting
class? If not--even with return of Baugh--next year could
be just as painful to witness as this one!
Munsterlander writes:
Good grief, Adams - you make it very hard sometimes not to jump on the "you're a moron" bandwagon. 1 season is enough to declare "not what it used to be!?!?!" UT graduated 5 seniors that just won 2 national championships in a row and all 5 went on to successful rookie seasons in the WNBA, some ridiculously successful. This team is extremely young. What the heck do you expect? Of course they need to get better, and of course some targeted recruiting is in order - but you don't win as consistently as coach Summitt has over as long a period of time as she has, even while the rest of the country has raced to catch up, unless you're a great coach. And even with a great coach some luck is needed - sure things don't always turn out to be sure things. Disappointing season, not totally unexpected. Your "not what it used to be" snipe is just stupid. Assininely stupid.
DaVolsRaJoke writes:
UT fans are the worst band wagon jumpers and fair weathered fans in america... Coming off two National Championships and talking about poor coaching and getting rid of players.. GEEZ.. Vols fans are horrible !!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
i could not help but notice the rest of the country has caught and passed the lady vols....freshmen or no freshmen....their is a huge void of sophs, juniors & seniors on this team. did anyone notice bjorkland when guarded by a smaller player (i know all of them were smaller) and she had the ball with both hands held over her head and tried the "and one" fake by pretending to pass the ball over the girls head and bjorkland still keeping the ball? to me, it show no respect to the other player ...whoever that player was, she got the last laugh....
can't dribble, can't shoot from 3 feet from the goal with much smaller players on them, can't defend, can't pass the ball, can't catch the ball, doesn't know when to drive or pull up and shoot, out rebounded by much smaller players, out quicked to the ball, beaten by and i'm gonna say this with all respect... beaten by a bunch of small mostly white girls.....
i am so glad mens basketball is good to great now and we basketball ut fans won't have ANY reason to watch women attempt to play. can't dribble, can't pass, can't catch, can't shoot, stumbles for no apparent reason, with all the video equipment you would think by watching tape they could learn...awwww!! forget about it!!!
rocky_topper writes:
Those of us who have followed the Lady Vols this season and have gone to their games were NOT shocked by the loss tonight.
All this team was known for this season was talk the talk and not walk the walk. There were and are a lazy bunch of girls. No coach can teach heart or coach heart which is what this team lacked!
Those of them who never developed this season should not be retained and sent packing and start from square one. I would keep Cain and Baugh for sure and the others, well, I can't think of any of the others I would keep or want on my team!!!!
teampenny#658108 writes:
No pure shooters or speed. Can not coach up players so they have these two qualities. Next year will be a young team because she will have to play a lot of freshman to win. Many of this years starters will not be starters next year-if they are we will have another sub par year. Go Vols
oldvolsfan writes:
adams back off after all these are not the same players we had last year and the loss of key returning players hurt the leadership for the freshmen so bacl off maby your writing is not what it used to be
teampenny#658108 writes:
We like to shoot the messenger-why? The ladies played poorly. Our bench players should be able to beat their starting five. Not this year. This loss is a team loss. An PS would agree the team gave a poor effort this game and through out most of the season. go vols
tnluv2play writes:
You can't teach "heart" and "competitiveness". It's either there or it's not. This group of young ladies want to be Lady Vols and wear the jersey but they don't want to put the work into it to be great. I'm all for replacing most of this group with junior college players who might want to bring their game to the court and actually play to win.
jamesarobertson#633301 writes:
Maya Moore-The best basketball player in college today. The play that Conn stole right under the nose of Andy Landers(UGA)and Summitt. I vaguely remember Pat after a game last year saying that "When you see my recruits play you will not be disappointed (or something to that effect). Without a doubt, there is no excuse for having to start four freshmen. Explain to me why these freshmen are playing worse now that at the beginning of the year, particulary Johnson. The answer - coaching!
TDTN writes:
Some of these comments are pathetic. These remarks look like they are coming from UCONN fans rather than Vol fans. Summit is a first class coach with a first class program. All 5 starters from last year are in the pros now and we replace them with 7 freshman. She did a good job to get a #5 seed this year. Quit being such poor sports and lose with dignity. The Lady Vols will be fine.
tennisvol writes:
One and out!
GoIrish writes:
Women's college basketball didn't even notice. UConn has been the dominate team all year and will go undefeated and win the title giving the Big East more women's Bball national titles than any other conference this decade.
airship writes:
RECRUITING RECRUITING RECRUITING.
ZR writes:
Terrible coaching job. Both Bruce and Pat suffered from the same distractions this year.
brokebackvol writes:
The good news is UConn can go win the next title without me having to listen to it all since the Lady Vols are out. When is the spring football game again?
dwa7#337691 writes:
remember the LV's lineup could have been:
C Parker
V Baugh
Cait MacMahan
Sybil Doty
Lindsay Moss
Sadie Wiley-Gateswood
that would have been a real TEAM........
vut56#231073 writes:
It has mostly been said, but it is cause for pause when, in fact, this team (if that is the correct term) did not improve from the first day until the last; can't defend, can't score, can't move. I am rather inclined to think they will not improve much this summer.
Posters are correct to state there should be accountability all around. The entire staff recruited them, signed them and coached them. Either there is some internal problem, mistakes with recruiting, lack of coaching effort, or...just a bunch of ladies not willing to pay the price to win. Unfortunately, the entire squad seems so inclined.
We have been spoiled and this was clearly a down year. It happens (although not before). The answers, either way, will come next year.
surfmaster writes:
Back to back NC's and folks are complaining? Are you kidding? If Coach Summitt is not the walking definition of "proven winner" could someone here please tell me who is?
fanisshort4fanatic writes:
Just when I thought our fans couldn't get any worse! It's been a frustrating year all the way around for UT sports there is no other way to slice it, but we are the most fair-weather fans in America. Absolutely without a doubt the most fair-weather and fickle fans around! The Lady Vols shouldn't have lost last night, it's a shame, but lets not forget that this is the premier women's college basketball program in the history of the game. There should be no room to tear down Pat and certainly no room to start shredding the players, considering they are 18-22 year olds playing COLLEGE sports, not Pro sports. I'm a die-hard Vols fan and an alumni who eats, breathes, lives Vols Athletics, but I swear our fans are the worst!!!!!
fanisshort4fanatic writes:
Amen brother! Two national titles, the premier women's basketball program in the land, but we are complaining today. It wasn't expected that they would lose in the 1st round and it's obviously below the standards of the program, but the fans are ridiculous. Delusional and out of touch fans - maybe this year will send us (as a fan base) back down to reality for all of our sports.
Pullingguard writes:
Very good analysis of the situation... This team with present players will never reach the lofty expectatitons of past Lady Vol teams.. There is just too many pieces missing from talent standpoint..Pat needs to start looking at whom she is gonna ask to transfer and get her some replacements. Don't you know that Gino is laughing from ear to ear today...And Pat just might have recognized this teams ability and rather than get embarrassed, just cancel the Conn. series.. It was smart of her to do so.
chad_t31 writes:
Recruiting? How many high school all-americans are on this team? I'm sorry folks but there aren't too many parkers, holdsclaws, catchings, cheryl millers, maya moores, etc., out there. This team is full of freshman who are either just not ready to take on their role or are playing out of position...heck, our best scorer has to play point guard most of the time. If you people knew anything other than internet-venting, you'd see what the heck happened this year. Only our fans would want to fire or reprimand, for her lack of recruiting success, the all-time winningest coach. Just chalk it up to a first time for everything...now..let's get ready for a 5-win football season. Then we can get back on here and talk about firing everyone on the football staff because they didn't win with a top-10 recruiting class.
reachkim00 writes:
To ALL of the negative posters.. please take it to the men's boards where it breeds, it's not welcome or wanted here.
To: Our Lady Vols:
The true fans here at home and across the country feel your pain and share in you disappointments and frustrations. Take everything you are feeling right now and turn it into positive off season conditioning, learning, healing, team defining progress. Get a chip on your shoulders that you dare any team to knock off. Learn from the mistakes and short comings, believe in yourself and your LEGENDARY coach and staff. A new season is coming, a new attitude will arise. Don't let one down year crush your reason for becoming a Lady Vol, let it inspire you and drive each of you to make your mark in the great history that ONLY Lady Vol basketball can define. We fans are behind you 110% and look forward to the new season coming. I for one believe and support our ladies and our coaching staff without question of hesitation. GO LADY VOLS!!!
From: A TRUE fan.
bigorangesob writes:
Well said
halloffamebowler writes:
Maybe Bass didn't spend enough time learning and practiceing voice tones.
Orangeblood13 writes:
lookout Adams smells blood in the water
stick in the mud writer
Orangeblood13 writes:
I would have to agree that this is some of the dumbest posting I have ever read. They are bound to have a bad year every once in while. mparker, some of you guys posting, just plain dumb
Keep your heads up girls
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
To summarize everything above, how many programs would consider a fifth place conference finish and an appearance in the NCAA tournament a down year? UConn for sure, maybe UNC, Stanford, Texas, Duke, Maryland, Oklahoma. But that is about it. UT is still a top program.
Something else that hasn't been mentioned is injuries. McMahon was supposed to be the point guard this year after a learning year last year. Cait was supposed to use last year as a freshman learning things.
We should not have been starting 4 freshmen this year (note the comments earlier about the transfers). It seem to be that this year was just the culmination of several negative things at one time.
Does the team need shooters? Yes. Do they need a true point guard? Yes. Do they need front line? Don't appear to, we seem to handle the rebounding pretty well, the inside game will open up when we have a few shooters on the outside to bust the zone.
I have confidence in Coach and the program.
reachkim00 writes:
BIG SUMMITT NUMBERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(all in 34 seasons as head coach)
OVERALL: 983-182 (.844)
HOME: 445-43 (.913)
AWAY: 323-80 (.799)
NEUTRAL: 215-59 (.785)
SEC GAMES
OVERALL: 396-58 (.872) vs. all SEC
HOME: 175-13 (.934)
AWAY: 150-29 (.834)
NEUTRAL: 71-16 (.816)
NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
OVERALL: 588-124 (.826)
SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS
(14 out of 28) 1980, '85, '90, '93, '94, '95, '98, '99, 2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '07
SEC TOURNAMENT GAMES
OVERALL: 58-16 (.784)
SEC TOURNAMENT TITLES
(13 out of 29) 1980, '85, '88, '89, '92, '94, '96, '98, '99, 2000, '05, '06, '08
GAMES VS. RANKED TEAMS
OVERALL: 398-150 (.726)
RANKED 1-10: 174-113 (.606)
RANKED 11-25: 225-37 (.859)
GAMES VS. UNRANKED TEAMS
OVERALL: 585-32 (.948)
NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES
OVERALL: 104-19 (.846)
26 FIRST/SECOND ROUNDS: 42-0
26 REGIONAL SEMIS: 23-4
22 REGIONAL FINALS: 18-5
16 NCAA FINAL FOURS: 21-10
NCAA TITLES: 8 (1987, '89, '91, '96, '97, '98, 2007, '08)
SEC COACH OF THE YEAR
1993, '95, '98, 2001, '03, '04, '07
NCAA COACH OF THE YEAR
1983, '87, '89, '94, '95, '98, 2004
NAISMITH COACH OF THE CENTURY
2000
AMAZING NUMBERS
Summitt has faced 158 opponents in 1,165 total games and teams from 35 conferences
47% of her 1,165 total games have been played versus ranked teams (548 total games against ranked opponents) with 398 victories versus ranked opponents
147 all-time Lady Vols have contributed to 983 wins
72% of those all-time players have gone on to be decorated as OIympians, All-Americans, USA National Team members, All-SEC performers, Academic All-Americans, etc
NOTE TO ALL FAIR-WEATHERED FANS:
This dosen't include this years 1000+ wins as it hasn't been updated yet. . I'm glad that the only head I think with has a brain in it. One down year does not diminish the Legendary Pat Summitt or the Lady Vol program, it will only make it stronger. GO LADY VOLS!!!!
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
Don't stereotype - not all of us that way. It was a touh season for a young group. They'll be better next year.
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
Just shut up and go away
CoffeeCup76 writes:
When is Knoxville going to get REAL sports writers?
ncvol17 writes:
$5.00 per month .. would it keep out the posters who post simply to get a rise? probably not as this must be the only place in life they have any power...very sad...must have really crappy jobs under the thumb of the man...domineering wives? loser kids? Must be..
goeltzd#649642 writes:
John Adams is a highly respected snipe hunter.
Volunatic writes:
Do you think JA uses the "sharpened stick and pillowcase" method for snipe hunting, or the "rocks in socks" bludgeoning method?
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
to all you, um, 'true fans', kiss off. You are most likely the same ones who fussed last year when I criticized you for giving up before the NC game against Stanford. I believe I called that, and I called this season pretty well. I missed badly on this game, however, and the reason I'm so aggravated is this: we lost becasue we were DUMB, not becasue we were YOUNG. High shoolers in class A take better care of the ball.
Some of you only look at the NC's from the last 2 years, the ones that Cnddace and Nikki basically willed us to get. I'm looking at this program from a LONG time. Yeah, I was around in the 80's and the 90's for those teams. Any of you others, did you ever see one of those give up?? Quite a few had limited talent, but TOUGH women.
A lot of you come off as soccer moms, the 'every one is a winner, every one gets a trophy' type. Great for you. The fact is this program is like UNC or UK men's basketball: falling short of high standards is totally unacceptable to the coaches, players, and fasn. Candace summed it up last year, paraprasing "that's why you ocme to Tennessee, to win championships". you do0nt come to get thrown out of your locker room, to lose horribly on national tv, to underachieve your supposed talent.
For the last 20-plus years, the LV's put fear and doubt into any team they played. Even UConn's great teams had to reach deep to win on nearly every occasion. THAT is LV basketball, not this garbage we saw this season. THAT is the expectation. THAT is waht some of us 'hardcore' fans have been griping about for the last 3 seasons. Beyond Candace, we could see the cupboard was bare, and it concerned us.
Criticize and attack all you care to, I don't give a damn. Put on your rose-colored glasses, drink some kool-aid, and give all the players a trophy.
reachkim00 writes:
And I will say it again.. I'm glad that the only head I think with has a brain in it.
Let's see... Coach Summitt has been here 35 years with 8 National Championships to boot.. there has been 8 men's basketball coaches, including Pearl, and 3 football coaches,excluding Kiffen as he's proven nothing yet, to come and go since her and ONE National Championship to show for it combined. THAT is a pitiful record for the almighty man sport. So I say to you scarecrow, get a brain.
Pullingguard writes:
Oh, its not Pat S. that the discussion is about, its about the lack of talent on this team. Pat, Dean, John, Geno or you name them will have hard time having consistency with these present players.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
I thought the PG Jarret was kind of cute.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Lordy.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Don't know what happened? Its a simple answer-they (Vols)DID NOT want to win! They DID NOT play to win! They HAD NO HEART to win! They DID NOT LISTEN to Pat! They are the sorriest team Pat ever coached! End of story!!!!
spvol writes:
"The margin of victory was magnified by the disparity between the programs — in both statue and size." "Statue"? Don't you mean "statuRe"? Does no one edit the editor's copy at KNS. Go back to Journalism 101; Pat's program will be just fine.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
* Our Men's & Women's B-Ball team gets eliminated in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney.
***Yes, but this follows TWO NCs in a row by the girls, an outright conference championship in 2008 by the men's BB team, and what, four straight NCAA tourney appearances by the men? Not to mention that 2009 marked Summitt's 1000th win point***
* Our football team finishes a dismal 6-7 in 2008 and hasn't won an SEC or NCAA title since 1998.
***Yes, but the outgoing coach is a future CFHOFer and ended his career at the .750 mark, among the best in all categories. And in that dry spell, 5 shared or outright division titles. Sure, the glimmer faded but hardly a record to scoff at.***
--------baseball, softball who really cares.
We are spoiled fans. My God. I haven't heard anyone call for CPHS's job, but I've seen a lot of "griping" about her coaching. Good grief, who ON THIS BOARD is qualified, even remotely, to critique the very woman who made women's basketball relevant? In my book, Pat Head Summitt automatically gets TEN YEARS free pass no questions asked. She's earned every imagineable right. She could coach games from her living room for all I care.
Bruce Pearl has done nothing but create a program where there once was nothing. Save for Ray Mears, Alan Houston, and Ernie and Bernie, does Tennessee really even have a BB legacy to speak of? Pardon me if I left out a few relevant names, but it is very hard to come up with many legends where Tennessee mens BB is concerned.
And football. Change has occured. Lots to be positive about, and if people would get their collective head out their rears we'd have a LOT to be proud of over the past twenty. We've gotten our money's worth ten times over.
But please, no disrespect to you but please go ahead and complain. Maybe Hamilton will pull the trigger on CPHS and CBP as well.
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