The Road to the 88Four has come to an end. frown

A team coached by Dean Smith would've won that game. wink

Great Post Joe in Philly, Right behind you on that one 100%.

Keep it up!

I guess revealing the predetermined winner will be a bit easier for you now that it's down to two teams. But then again, you didn't back up your statement last week, why should we care or believe anything you say now?

It's kind of ironic that the men's final is composed of the teams everybody thought would be there, whereas I doubt very many people would have predicted a Baylor/Michigan st final for the women.

Coyoteugly knew it all along! After all, it was predetermined.

It has been a long while since I have visited the boards, but I do have to say a few things about the Women's Tournament.

First, I think people are surprised that BOTH MSU and Baylor are in the final. Not that many are surprised that one or the other is there. They are two of the hottest teams on the court, and several analysts predicted them to be contenders. Not many people expected to see both LSU and Tennessee get outhustled in the end.

MSU was not the fourth #1 seed. That was North Carolina. And Stanford was not even the next in line for a #1. That was Baylor. Who showed the Committee's ability to predict by giving its #1 the best match of the Elite Eight. Stanford would have had to jump Baylor and Carolina to get a #1 seed. The committee all along knew that MSU was right behind LSU and Tennessee.

If anyone was in doubt about the potential of these two teams, they were not following along for the whole season. MSU is 13-1 against ranked opponents on the season. They are 4-0 against teams ranked in the top 3. They are 33-3 on the season, and their three losses were to teams that finished the year in the top 25.

Baylor won a very competitive Big 12 conference and then the tournament title. Like MSU, they are well balanced and are totally tied into their coach's system. It is a bit ironic that both Kim M.R. and Joanne P.M. are in their fifth seasons and playing with squads they recruited. They both are sensational young coaches.

Pat Summitt did not get outcoached last night. Her team got outplayed. I am very confident that she had her players ready to go. But they ran into a team that forgot how they got there for awhile, but remembered in time to overtake the Vols in the end. (And when was the last time that anyone saw a play like Kristin Haynie's steal late in the game? No slam dunk really compares to the sheer basketball smarts that had her cutting off that pass before Shanna Zolman thought to throw it.)

Dean Smith's TarHeels got outplayed many times, despite his good coaching. Pat's teams have outplayed others to the tune of her being ahead of Dean Smith and she deserves that honor. I do not care for her style, but she has produced the highest quality basketball for nearly 30 years.

There have been few years in college basketball that have produced games like this in both the women's and men's brackets. The women produced a Final Four that was just as dramatic and exciting as the Men's Elite Eight. It is exciting to see quality squads producing outstanding results. The only thing unexpected was which quality squads made the most noise.

I am pulling for MSU tomorrow. They have shown throughout the season that they have the best poise and the smartest floor leader. I think those two things will be essential as the two teams explore uncharted territory together.

Wow! How about that predetermined ending! The person responsible for chosing a Baptist school as national champ must have ties to The White House!

WOW sounds like a GREAT tourney there guys!

Hopefully next year I can figure out when/where these games take place!

Wow, Blueboobster a number "two" seed beats a number "one" seed and wins the NCAA Title IX Championship and this is historic in your mind? Is this your argument that there's competitive balance in your beloved sport? Have you considered law school? Really, you should think about it. Your ability of trying to prove your point with facts is unmatched. Unparalleled. On the day of Johnnie Cochran's funeral, I salute you, barrister.

You don't have to believe anything I say. In fact, I prefer that you don't agree with me at all. Trust me, it looks better for me when you're on the opposite side of any of my opinions, given your track record on this board. And speaking of which, the reason why I didn't post this name of the champion is out of pure unadulterated respect to you, the Blueboobster, nominee for the 2005 PCC Respected Poster or the Year Award. I've read your crying, whiney posts in the past about spoilers. In fact, here are a few of them to refresh your memory (links included):



\"I just don't want to know in advance what is going to happen...whether your speculation is true or not, it is unwanted. You ruined the first episode of Survivor for many of us, please be a bit more respectful.\"

\"This is the thread where you are free to post all reality game show (Survivor, The Bachelor, The Apprentice, etc.) spoilers. This way, you don't spoil the fun for the rest of us who enjoy discussing our shows and watching week to week without knowing what is going to happen. Please be respectful of your fellow Outsporters.\"

\"Damnit, thanks for the spoiler. Like I REALLY wanted to read this. Please be more considerate in the future.\"

\"Why doesn't someone start a spoiler thread? That way, we keep the spoiler info from people like me who don't want to know what happens.\"

So, out of the highest respect for you... Knowing that posting the outcome of the tournament would throw your reality-show-dependent life into complete turmoil... Realizing that you would be sitting on the edge of your bean bag chair, nervously turning with every jump shot from the hip, routine lay-up, and six inch vertical jump... I didn't want to ruin for you, the person who lives and dies women's college basketball.

I believe the world stopped on it's axis during that gripping, thrilling game. I felt it, did you?



Oh, and "Go Pat"

[ April 06, 2005, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: coyoteugly ]

Thanks for yet another lovely dose of vitriol. It is a shame you didn't go out on a limb and tell us who the "pre-determined" winner was since you were so confident.

(Maybe OUTSPORTS should consider eliminating the "Women's Sports" forum since it seems to really get under some people's skin.) Geez Louise!

Cheers!

[ April 06, 2005, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: HornFan ]

What a GREAT Post Hornfan! I'm solidly in your corner on this one! Keep those ideas coming.

I believe that (censored for the Quite Easily offended Posters in this section) in the write ups.

Thanks for your time everyone!

Well, by that logic, maybe outsports should eliminate itself. We are all painfully aware of how upset some people get at the thought of gay athletes and/or fans. (Not to mention lesbian athletes and fans who are, after all, just women.)

Congratulations to Kim M-R and the rest of the Baylor Lady Bears for an outstanding season, culminating in a phenomenal game in the finals--well prepared, well executed.

Congratulations to Joanne P. M. for a great season at MSU. She (like Kim) built that program and now has MSU believing in women's basketball. She was a star at Maine and is clearly a star at MSU.

and Congratulations to Pat Summitt--for so many reasons. Certainly for coaching her team to the brink of a title (despite not having Candace Parker or Sidney Spencer, losing three key seniors from last year and playing BY FAR the toughest schedule in the nation).

But perhaps more importantly, for being a role model that allowed Kim, Joanne, and others to be successful in the coaching ranks. For being a champion simply by doing what she does best--coach basketball and mentor young ladies. For not backing down and raising the bar--not only at Tennessee, where winning is a tradition and expectations are high, but also across the board. What a statement it is when programs aspire to be just like your program. Because of Pat, and the athletes she has produced, the coaches she has spawned, and the opportunities she has helped create, women's athletics are growing. Young girls can aspire not only to be great basketball players, but also great field hockey players, soccer players, lacrosse players--athletes in general. There is no question the benefits that people get from athletics in general and certainly from participating in team sports. Besides the physical benefits, people develop other skills that are so applicable in the non-athletic world thanks to participation in sports. Thanks to Pat (and others, certainly), girls have more opportunities.

Thanks, Pat, for all of your years of service--both as a class act as a coach but also simply by just doing what you do, and by doing so, filling stadiums with people celebrating women participating in sports, giving girls the confidence to aspire to greatness, helping establish a culture which recognizes girls and women as athletes, all with honor and dignity.

[ April 08, 2005, 12:53 AM: Message edited by: PhillyFan ]

WHAT a great post Ms. de Blazer!

I'm right behind you 100% on that one!

Chip, you have it absolutely right. The successful women's programs and their coaches stand on the shoulders of Summitt's achievements. Remember, her first victory had 59 people in attendance and now they fill the arena. Women's games were not on TV even locally. As coach she had to also tape players' ankles, treat injuries and drive the team bus, plus write the press releases. It's not just Summitt, of course, thousands of women elevated the game, but the program she built from nothing is and will be a model for college sports.
Look at Tara VanderVeer. Players who go to Stanford could easily go where they won't be held to such rigorous standards, but she has turned out champions as scholars and athletes. And she has said it would not have happened with Summitt's example.
And yes, despite my lack of love for religious schools, look at how Baylor men disgraced their school and college sports, and look what the women did.

Pat Summitt coached her 900th victory tonight...a feat no other NCAA coach has accomplished.

[ January 19, 2006, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: HornFan ]

I'm not sure if the "900 wins" is referring specifically to basketball, but there are several NCAA coaches who have passed that mark in volleyball.

UCLA's men's coach, Al Scates, has over 1000 wins and 18 national titles. Their women's coach, Andy Banachowski, has over 900 wins. There are two other coaches in DII and DIII who passed 900 wins this year. Also, Hawaii's women's volleyball coach is just a few matches shy of the 900 win mark.

Nevertheless, it's a great accomplishment for Summitt.

900 wins is truly incredible.

that's 20 wins per year for 45 years!

how many coaches even stay in the game long enough to COACH 900 games. it is especially amazing when you consider that college basketball teams didn't play an nba-length schedule until relatively recently.

nevertheless, go lady techsters!

I honor PHS for her tenacity and skille. But "class act"...I'm stopping a bit short there. She has a nasty lesbian-baiting habit that tarnishes her halo a tad.

Still, congrats Coach.

This is not to take anything away from Coach Summitt. She's done an incredible job at UT and has changed the face of women's college basketball. That said, a lot of her wins, especially in the early years, were against teams that were barely able to put five semi-decent players on the court.

Well, she has certainly made up for that in the past decade or more usually playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. She will play anybody...anywhere...anytime.

Pat Head Summit is arguably the best coach in the game behind Wooden.


Pat Head Summit could accomplish any goal she wanted to if she chose that avenue.

If she were in the Military/Army, she would be 5-Star General.

If she were in politics, she would win every election hands down.

The point is, Pat Head Summit is living perfection and the pinnacle of determination to be the best.

While some view her harsh because she is a woman, the reality is she is a strong woman that commands attention and respect FROM all in her presence.

She's a treasure.

This is an opinion. It is certainly not fact.

Umm...my guess is that's why he used the word "arguably". Meaning you can make an argument for this. Not that it definitely is. But thanks for your close reading.

LOL Im glad someone noticed that.


As I have always said, there are two kind of poeple.

Those that never accomplish anything and tear down others while sitting in the corner ouf the picture ( specatator) with envy.

Then you have other who emulate and learn from the best and follow their pattern of success and want to beat who they admired.


Many coaches have come and gone and challenged Pat, but she is the one that is always on the opposing sideline facing the charge forom the foes.

She might not win every game & championship, but she gives he heart, soul, and love fot the lady Vols.


And yes, IMO she is hands down the 2nd best basketball coach in the history of the game.

how is it that ALL discussion topics are seemingly morphing into paeans to the west virginia mousketeers -- be it basketball, football, or underwater basket weaving?

all i can say is, after the hurt duke put on tennessee, i wouldn't want to be a dukie when phs goes seeking revenge -- maybe in the final four!

It seems I have developed qite a following. I think some guys are becoming boderline obsessed. There is nothing more gratifying than having online stalkers.


Reagrding this thread, I never brought WVU into this thread. I stuck on topic and its seems there are some trigger happy fools following me around and attempting to make up for their previous inadequete posting performances.

I attended UT during her years with Holdzclaw, Randall, Catchings, Ace Clement, & Jolly. Her practices, style, and coaching is absolutely perfection.

Regarding HER Tiggers comments about suicide, that is very juvenille, don't you think? Actually I don't have to point out you are have now became obsessed with every one of my posts. Its more and more obvious. Also, I have never used the word FAG or QUEER to describe anyone on this board. But, you have done that is a couple of posts. I think you need to take a long look at yourself. You have nothing to worry about. I'm not after your brainless audience. Im just here to laugh at you & continue adding to your high blood pressure as you eagerly wait by your computer for me to post.


Back to Summit, I have nothing but respect for her and what she represents to BASKETBALL.

wink

[ January 25, 2006, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: WVUBuff ]

The names Summitt and Wooden should not even be mentioned in the same book, let alone paragraph or sentance. And I'm not using the word "arguably" here because there's no logical or rational arguement that could be made to justify her inclusion. This is nothing more than someone looking to stir the pot. Give her credit for being a great woman's coach, but please stop trying to compare her to coaches who faced actual competition.

If you want to discuss WVU football, we can do it on the college football forum. I never hasve said WVU is the best college football program. However, its a damn good one and certainly one of the better programs in the country right now.

Howe er, This is a thread started to congratulate Pat Head Summit who is the winningest Basketball coach in the history of the game.

You are correct in stating John Wooden and Pat Head Summit shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.

John Wooden coached in the 50's,60's, & 70's of college basketball. During half that time, Wooden played African Americans at UCLA when other schools didn't which makes him very intelligent and he capitalized as the UCLA program rolled as a result.

My point is, UCLA and Jon Wooden wouldnt not have the same success today in modern basketball when recruiting has evened out.

Pat Head Summit has gone through the 70's,80's, 90's, & 00's as the best coach during major changes in the game. There are few that have been able to keep up with changes.

Programs like Old Dominion, USC, Cheney State, Delta State, SW Missouri State,Iowa, Western Kentucky, & LA Tech were at the top with UT at various parts of the 80's & 90's.

UVA, UNC, Texas, Texas Tech,Penn State, Georgia & others have a run at the championship once every 5 years or so.

UCONN has clearly become a powerhouse and challenged Tennessee in the last 8 years. Duke has become a team that is capapable of challenging Tennessee.

The Point is, teams come and go, but the one constant in women's basektball regardless of what decade is Pat Head Summit's Lady Vols will almost certainly make the Final 4 and challenge for the National Championship while winning .880 of their games while playing the hardest schedule in the country.