It was a bitter loss in sports for me, just 45 minutes ago. The Lady Vols of Tennessee, making their 16th trip to the Final Four in the last 31 years, went down to the Michigan State Spartans, 68-64. Tennessee was amazing on the offensive glass, building a 16-point lead in the second half. The Vols' shooting cooled off at the outset of the run by MSU, and the inside post players started making plays. Shyra Ely will likely be partly blamed, as she had another mediocre night in a huge game. Let's digress from this game, and let me talk about legendary coach Pat Summitt. Coach Summitt has been the chief in Knoxville for 31 years, the first as a player-coach at the age of 22. She has captured 6 NCAA titles. She currently is the all-time leader in wins in college basketball, men's or women's, passing the great Dean Smith of North Carolina. Including tonight's loss, Tennessee is 882-172 (.837) under Coach Summitt. Rumors fly at this very moment that the iconic coach may jump to the NBA. That's right, I said the NBA. Where men play. No, I do not speak in jest. Would they listen? Of course they would! Imagine this conversation in the huddle:
Pat: Play some defense, you slackers! [gestures toward lazy star player] You, face-guard him! He's getting open looks because you're trying to get on SportsCenter!
Allen Iverson: Why should we listen to you?
Pat: Hey, Allen! I've won 6 championships. How many have you won? (Zero, by the way) Oh, and I'm freakin' Pat Summitt, that's why!
Pat: Play some defense, you slackers! [gestures toward lazy star player] You, face-guard him! He's getting open looks because you're trying to get on SportsCenter!
Allen Iverson: Why should we listen to you?
Pat: Hey, Allen! I've won 6 championships. How many have you won? (Zero, by the way) Oh, and I'm freakin' Pat Summitt, that's why!
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