Two NCAA women's basketball tournaments come to mind when you think about Tennessee's game against second-ranked Notre Dame on Monday night in South Bend, Ind.
The Irish ended UT's last season one game short of the Final Four with a 73-59 victory. Now, it's in position to impact the Lady Vols' next NCAA tournament venture.
More than tournament seeding is at stake. So is the Lady Vols' image.
The image is almost four decades in the making. It has been achieved not just by winning eight national championships but by winning games like the one Monday night — against an elite team on the road.
Contrast that track record with recent events. The Lady Vols looked overwhelmed in an 17-point loss at Stanford last month. They looked fragile in a last-second loss at Kentucky last week.
In each case, a great player — Nnemkadi Ogwumike of Stanford and A'dia Mathies of Kentucky — dominated them. Although Stanford won handily, the nature of the Kentucky defeat was just as jarring.
Mathies is the only Kentucky player who would start for UT. The Lady Vols are more talented, but the Wildcats were more determined and resourceful.
Something else about those games: UT no longer looks as comfortable on the road against the best teams. It once embraced such challenges. This team isn't as sure of itself.
The uncertainty can be traced to postseason play, where a program of UT's stature is ultimately judged. The Lady Vols haven't made it to the Final Four for three consecutive seasons since winning back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008 and qualifying for six Final Fours in seven years.
They didn't just fall short of the last three Final Fours. Their elimination losses were by 16 to
Ball State, by 15 to Baylor and by 14 to Notre Dame.
UT can't qualify for the Final Four on Monday night. But it can effect its image and boost its confidence as well. It also could improve its postseason status.
No. 9 Tennessee already has lost as many regular-season games this season as it did the last two combined and has little chance of a No. 1 seed, which it managed last year. Its impressive strength of schedule will be a plus when it comes to seeding. But the Lady Vols aren't the only top-10 team to enhance its résumé through scheduling.
No. 1 Baylor is 3-0 versus top-10 teams and still has five games remaining with teams currently ranked in the top 25. Notre Dame is 5-1 against top-25 teams and is 3-1 against top-10 teams.
Connecticut's only losses have been by five points to No. 1 Baylor and in overtime against Notre Dame. It also has defeated No. 4 Stanford and has six games remaining against teams currently ranked in the top 25.
Stanford's schedule is easier than UT's, but its 17-point victory over the Lady Vols speaks volumes.
Forget the top four teams. The Lady Vols more likely will be competing with the next tier of teams for a No. 2 seed. And that's in a best-case scenario.
Their victory over No. 7 Rutgers on its home floor will help. A victory over Notre Dame would help even more.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 27
BolivrBob writes:
Don't see it happening
SummittsCourt writes:
Don't have to win necessarily, it's not a now or never game, but a strong showing will do wonders for confidence. A win will definately bring some notice that this team is one that can win it all.
RashaadSalabeb writes:
Lady Vols all the way! We'll play anybody, anytime, and anywhere! We'll be ready come tournament time!
itsgolden writes:
this team plays in spurts. haven't seen a complete 40 minute lady vols game since '08. does this team have the talent to compete with ND and win on their home floor? i believe they do. will they compete hard for 40 minutes - probably not. conditioning is another glaring issue for this team. if it's a fast paced game they'll be gasping for air about 3 minutes into the game. what's gonna happen with this team is anybody's guess.
tovolny writes:
John, how many games have the LadyVols lost this year? Why did you think it was necessary to go back to the Ball State game played four years ago? The first two posters above did a much better job defining the importance of the upcoming game with Notre Dame. You are losing credibility as the clock and my stomach turns.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
Subtract 18 points from every LV final score because of missed shots under the basket and the free throw line. Or add then, if you really want to feel sick.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
indeed....very well put
GO LADY VOLS
DannyVol writes:
Bingo! We have a winner!
AirForceVol writes:
To say this game is vital to the Lady Vols image is completely ridiculous. There is no question this game means a great deal to this particular team, but this program's image is not at stake in a non-conference regular season game. This is about as disrepectful as you talking about Pat's eventual successor. You're a jerk!
DroopyDrawers writes:
JA's opinion. HA!
Volalumnus writes:
Some people just don't get it. They just want a trophy just for showing up.
Remember when if the LV lost in any situation then you were surprised?
Thats not now.
chuckfromwoodberry writes:
Never, never ever count out Pat.
WCBB_FAN writes:
EARLY PREDICTION
NORTE DAME- 81
TENN, - 66
dirislr#209355 writes:
you must.
frblalack writes:
Lady Vols will be just fine! Sky is not falling, Mr. Adams. We have been playing with one of our best shooters hurt (Taber), one of our best rebounders playing injured (Vicki), one of our promising guards out (Kamiko), now with All-Sec injury (Strick), and yet our team has played with grit and enthusiasm. The Tennessee trademark branded by Coach Pat Summitt is one of Coach Neyland's Maxims, "I will give my all for Tennessee". The Lady Vols resolve and iron will are what set them apart.
Let's forgive and forget those who dwell on the negative nonsense. Our Lady Vols have the talent to beat ANYBODY. Let's elevate our game, Glory, Alicia, Meighan, Ariel, Cierra and the rest! Let's impose OUR will against Notre Dame. When we bring it...as a complete TEAM with each player out for each other playing selfless and with common goal...we are AWESOME!
Play for each other Lady Vols and there is no mountain you can't climb! No team you can't defeat!
Proud of MY Lady Vols - All Vols - All the Time
easleychuck writes:
Poor little, John, so insignicant these days.
Olcrow writes:
Wait for the next article how UT got commitment from Bonner but nobody in the SEC especially LSU wanted him
kazoo writes:
There is no question that the program has slipped in recent years--and that usually happens when your coach has been on the job for some 35 years. The word is "burnout." Summitt's talent evaluation/recruiting has not been especially good in recent years; the Vols didn't even have a point guard for two/three years, which is astounding, and there have been other issues--too much size not enough athleticism; mediocre half-court offense; injuries; weak guard play--and really, I don't think the team gets the best coaching in the land. This team absolutely should get to the Final Four; whether it will, we'll see. Now we are looking at the end of PS's long reign and Cronin needs to find an outstanding coach to replace her.
Tacamo01 writes:
LOL
I don't read his articles anymore, was nothing but trash talking UT. I get the USA Today.
I do like to read posts to his comments though. I believe his days should be numbered at KNS.
Go Vols
tovolny writes:
Goodnight John...I hope you have a good retirement in the bayou.
gerryblack writes:
From what i've seen thus far this year I don't think Pat has a succesor within the current staff. Coaching hasn't been up to par this year even thought we have some excellent players.
Jblue writes:
Jblue 9:14 p.m. 1/22/2012
i come here almost everyday and read info on the lady vols games and how they are preparing for the next. i also read the comments posted. i must say that as a long time lady vols fan,, SOME of you "so called" lady vols fans get on my nerves and i cant hold my tongue any longer... while i understand the frustration of some people , i cannot stand the doubt of some people. i myself am frustrated with the silly turnovers and the lackluster defense at times , but NEVER have i doubted the lady vols. there is something about this team and every lady vol team for that fact and yess , i know we've heard it all before but i stick with them. i catch myself thinking bout about the 06-07 and 07-08 teams that won our last NCAA championships. the big difference between those teams and the current team is that the current team doesnt have that confidence and swagger that the candace parker, shannon "lil bit" bobbit, alberte "bert bird" auguste, nicky anosike, and alexis hornbuckle had. some people would even say that candace along with the others were cocky, but guess what... they backed it up on the court. they honestly didnt think they could be beat, they stepped on the court KNOWING they would win and i loved that about them. as fans we have to have that same attitude. when i look at these comments on various articles, i see the words "hope", and "think" when discussing a potential win. tennessee has the richest tradition in all of womens hoops and they sure didnt get their by hoping and thinking about wins. we had KNOWledge of wins and championships. we just knew that we were going to pull of the big victories because its just simply "A Tennessee Thing." nothing has changed but the attitude of the players and fans. both have to know they are going to win and stop hoping for a win. we have to know that we can't be beat and then make things happen. if some of you are going to continuously compare us to Uconn , Baylor, Notre Dame, Stanford, and other teams whose name isnt tennessee lady vols... then tune into the other teams games every night and get off our (Tennessee) message boards if you are so impressed with them. PERFECT IS BORING. HARDWORK AND OVERCOMING ADVERSITY AND OVERCOMING DOUBT is a tennessee foundation. everyone is doubting tennessee now and this when they play their best ball. ex.(the last two UT ncaa championships,, we werent the media favories but we still won.) I love when tennessee shuts up the critics and they are going to do it again. This team is fed up and just like all Tennessee teams...the more fed up they get, the hungrier they get, and the hungrier they get, well lets just say the more nets pat cuts in the post season.
Jblue writes:
(continued from previous post) Also, lets stop making excuses for them,, yea injuries are misfortunate, but the champions find a way to win and we are champions at heart. with all this being said... the Tennessee lady vols WILL BEAT notre dame monday and i know and believe this, tennessee WILL get to Denver and WILL win the 2012 championship for their sharp-minded and legendary coach, I JUST BELIEVE THEY WILL. people will call me crazy and dumb for making such predictions but i just believe in them too much. and if we lose to or get blown out by notre dame and dont make it to Denver in April,, im pretty sure people may laugh in my face and say all kinds of things about how i jinxed the lady vols. but the truth is,, the lady vols' fans, players,and coaches, dont rely on luck. they rely on BELIEF AND DETERMINATION. So from this point forward, go on and shut the critics up and overcome adversity again. Glory Johnson as i inferred from this article is gaining the resolve and the confidence that was seen in Candace Parker, and when(not if) the lady vols follow their emotional leader, WATCH OUT AMERICA. Lets Back Pat and the Whole Lady Vol Squad. Lets rally behind them.
- A TRUE LADY VOLS FAN AND BELIEVER
VolzsFan writes:
I guess Adams is the new beat reporter for the woman. Sitting here with the basketball team just beating UCONN and a star in Stokes being born, he writes about something that at most schools have about 300 people in the stands. Interesting.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Naming Pat's eventual successor won't be up to Cronan. For one thing, she is retiring soon, in June, IIRC. For another, there is no longer a separate administration for women's athletics, for better or worse. The decision will belong to THE athletic director for all UT sports, namely Dave Hart if he is still here at that time.
Also, I think the LVs are fully capable of making it to the Final Four, but tonight's game is one they really need to win if they expect to be a favorite to do so. Hard to overestimate the benefit to the LVs at selection time if they can take this one. I don't really expect them to actually bring this one home, but I will be watching and cheering anyway. Not necessarily a killer if they play well and lose but winning it would sure be sweet!
VOLunTEAR writes:
"Mathies is the only Kentucky player who would start for UT. The Lady Vols are more talented, but the Wildcats were more determined and resourceful."
There you have it. The story of the current incarnation of the Lady Vols. Here are your #1 Seeds: UCONN, Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor.
SignalMtnVol writes:
Wow. Just wow. what a whuppin'
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