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Originally Posted by Brave Volunteer  You will not find a bigger UT fan than I am. You will not find a bigger Lady Vols fan than I am. However I emphatically disagree with Pat's decision to end regular season play against UConn based on such a minor ncaa infraction.
Like others have said, this almost smells like Pat was just looking for a reason to end this series. Her personal feelings toward Geno are well publicized. However like others have said, it's a great disservice to the league and to b-ball fans everywhere to end the only real women's NCAA b-ball rivalry in existence. |
I think Pat should publicly discuss the rationale for discontinuing the series for the basic reason that many people believe that it really is just over a free tour of ESPN studios for Maya Moore which would seem petty to the casual observer.....Pat Summitt and the Tennessee coaching staff have been unnerved by some of Connecticut's recruiting practices they perceive as unethical, if not illegal over the course of several years. It is not just one thing but a series of things over and it all began with the recruitment of Ann Strother from Colorado back in the summer of 2001....The relationship between the two schools had been relatively amicable before then (Auriemma's childish snipes aside). Geno was the Head Coach of the USA National team in the summer of '01 when both Tennessee and Connecticut were hot on the trail of Strother and raised alot of eyebrows by not only putting Strother on the team but gave her ample playing time (nevermind that she was just a 17 year old high school senior to be at the time and not talented enough 7 years later to be on our Olympic team). This was perceived as a transparent attempt on the part of Auriemma to gain an advantage in her recruitment and sure enough she did sign with UConn in November of '01...Now, it was not illegal for Auriemma to abuse his position this way but it does allow you into his mindset....Tennessee also believes that Connecticut's athletic department has assisted Maya Moore's mother in getting a job that she was unqualified for....