A TN fan's perspective

[Kibitzer]

and i would add that pat has been very complementary to some of the UCONN fans for their support. ESPN is a different story....

It has been instructive and refreshing to read your series of posts and I believe they have provided a new and welcome perspective on this unfortunate situation. Apparently you have had access to telecasts which have been unavailable to us and we readily take your word about the contrast.

The contention by some of your colleagues -- that it is a UConn-ESPN conspiracy to cast Pat in the worst possible light -- has no basis, even though it has been endorsed even by moderators of your message board.

I am especially pleased that Pat was able to discern and publicly appreciate the many sincere and heartfelt messages from Connecticut and I/we hope they brought her some cheer in a most difficult time.

Given Pat's appreciation of this perhaps unexpected source of support and encouragement, I find it easy to ignore a few hateful posters on your board who insist that our motives were mean-spirited or downright sinister.

It is surely time to call a halt to the nasty comments and collaborate in our efforts to "Back Pat!"

I will vouch for my fellow Boneyarders.

Back to you, BigO.

 

[BigO]

It has been instructive and refreshing to read your series of posts and I believe they have provided a new and welcome perspective on this unfortunate situation. Apparently you have had access to telecasts which have been unavailable to us and we readily take your word about the contrast.

The contention by some of your colleagues -- that it is a UConn-ESPN conspiracy to cast Pat in the worst possible light -- has no basis, even though it has been endorsed even by moderators of your message board.

I am especially pleased that Pat was able to discern and publicly appreciate the many sincere and heartfelt messages from Connecticut and I/we hope they brought her some cheer in a most difficult time.

Given Pat's appreciation of this perhaps unexpected source of support and encouragement, I find it easy to ignore a few hateful posters on your board who insist that our motives were mean-spirited or downright sinister.

It is surely time to call a halt to the nasty comments and collaborate in our efforts to "Back Pat!"

I will vouch for my fellow Boneyarders.

Back to you, BigO.

very very nice of you. thanks. and i agree 100%

 

[NCorBust]

If this illness spurred the attacks, that should mitigate offended UConn fans' anger at PHS. The actions, however, remain despicable regardless of their origins.

So?

 

[Ctpaul0825]

If you have not seen the movie "Catfish", you should. Basically people can create different characters and personalities on the Internet and I believe this is the case on all boards or other social networking sites. After watching the movie I now take what I read with a grain of salt. Some of it is heartfelt, honest and real, some of it is just someone creating a character and posting or saying whatever they want with no concern that it may hurt or believed to be true.

I can say " I just heard that DD commited to UCONN", it's not based on any truth but if it's said it must be true, right?, no wrong! A story can snowball and be believed as fact especially if we want to believe it to be so. And yet in reality, it is no more true then that the earth is flat.

 

[UcMiami]

very very nice of you. thanks. and i agree 100%

And I was especially proud of the Uconn men's team wearing the We Back Pat Uconn tee shirts in their warm-ups at Tenn (though not of their subsequent performance!!!) I think that reflected the general feeling of Uconn and its fans and those who post here.

 

[alexrgct]

If you have not seen the movie "Catfish", you should. Basically people can create different characters and personalities on the Internet and I believe this is the case on all boards or other social networking sites. After watching the movie I now take what I read with a grain of salt. Some of it is heartfelt, honest and real, some of it is just someone creating a character and posting or saying whatever they want with no concern that it may hurt or believed to be true.

I can say " I just heard that DD commited to UCONN", it's not based on any truth but if it's said it must be true, right?, no wrong! A story can snowball and be believed as fact especially if we want to believe it to be so. And yet in reality, it is no more true then that the earth is flat.

It is a well known psychological phenomenon that people tend to remember the details of what they've heard more clearly than who they heard it from. Thus over time, bad information gains credibility and good information loses credibility. This phenomenon underscored the danger of the National Enquirer, negative campaign ads, etc. Unfortunately, the Internet has increased our sources of potentially bad information by orders of magnitude. And it's also made it so important to get information out first (and we're talking by minutes) that traditional journalistic standards have gone out the window, even by previously credible sources of news.

In short, no one knows what the heck is true. I'm mean, I'm a metaphysical relatavist anyway, but we're all kind of there by default at this point...

 

[Ctpaul0825]

not a chance. it is already known in TN that she is helping with that decision.

Based on what BigO?, has the UT administration made any comment that your statement can be based on ?

i think you might be underestimating the love for her. it's her program until she leaves.

On what are you basing that anyone underestimates the love for coach Summitt ?

 

[DaddyChoc]

if some can trash EDD.. Im sure some have no problem doing it to Coach Summitt.

damn shame in both cases

 

[MarieM]

dude tennessee fans are saying worst things about this situation, its very obvious that Pat isn't the same Pat she was 5 or 30 years ago but you guys saying that she should bench the assistant coach or start looking for a new coaching staff and what not is not going to help the situation. Why not write this exact same post on tennessee site as well?!!!

 

[MarieM]

i get what most of you are saying, but i do think the media is obsessed with the negative side of pat's issue, instead of saying...wait this woman is in the fight for her life and is STILL at every practice, every game, and has a top 10 team who may finish 1st or 2nd in a tough conference this year. she does every post game interview. she answers numerous face book questions after each game. but she has been instructed by doctors to slow down when on sidelines as the stress makes the disease progress faster. i don't think you all can see the difference on how ESPN covers the games, because you don't have the other TV channels in the South. when the LVs are not on ESPN the channels actually show pat engaged and talking to players, etc. when we are on ESPN, she is only shown gazing into space. my grandmother has this awful disease, as i am sure that many of your family members have had too. i know many of you are resistant to believe that ESPN is covering this in a bad way, but you don't see the other 80% of LV basketball as we do. that's why we all blow up when ESPN does its thing. (which hurts the perception of pat, the fans, and the program)

trust me when i say that if the were handling Geno like this you all would go NUTS

Hey welcome to UCONN BASKETBALL WORLD, the media loves when UConn loses a game, is under ncaa review, someone transfers out, someone is injured whatever the bad case may be the media enjoys it

 

[JS]

Hey welcome to UCONN BASKETBALL WORLD, the media loves when UConn loses a game, is under ncaa review, someone transfers out, someone is injured whatever the bad case may be the media enjoys it

I take this to be sarcasm, one of a series of unexplicated posts from you including the repetitious knocking of KML.

Readers might better understand if they know that this thread includes not only Big O's straightforward "Tennessee fan's perspective" but your sub rosa one, coming from someone who's assured a fellow orange boarder that you dislike UConn as much as he does.

Not a problem exactly, but you're contributing little here if you fail to explain your position and just put up terse posts of uncertain but faintly subversive intent (except for your Bria Hartley admiration expressed on both boards; seems to be some kind of connection there).

Come on out. Would encourage you to take a cue from Big O and explain a bit more what your view is and why. I'd say we won't bite, but knowing this bunch probably shouldn't over-promise.

 

[Plumber Luigi]

Media in general loves a good tragedy, the slower the better. It sells papers, boost ratings and increase page views. It's not as much about a conspiracy than just standard operating procedure and showing an engaged Pat Summit doesn't reaffirm the tragic narrative they are selling.

On top of that we are talking about ESPN's coverage of a women's basketball game. If they aren't hawking what men's game is on next or the next day they have an annoying tendency to drone on about touchy feely subjects that have very little to do with the game when they are suppose to be doing P2P and colour. The fact it's something of substance instead of telling us all about the star player's love of curling or making fresh baked snickerdoodles for the children at a homeless shelter, just means it will talked about pregame, half time and when they come back from every other TV timeout instead of just once.

 

[UcMiami]

Media in general loves a good tragedy, the slower the better. It sells papers, boost ratings and increase page views. It's not as much about a conspiracy than just standard operating procedure and showing an engaged Pat Summit doesn't reaffirm the tragic narrative they are selling.

On top of that we are talking about ESPN's coverage of a women's basketball game. If they aren't hawking what men's game is on next or the next day they have an annoying tendency to drone on about touchy feely subjects that have very little to do with the game when they are suppose to be doing P2P and colour. The fact it's something of substance instead of telling us all about the star player's love of curling or making fresh baked snickerdoodles for the children at a homeless shelter, just means it will talked about pregame, half time and when they come back from every other TV timeout instead of just once.

I certainly agree with your characterization of ESPN in game analysts! I really do get annoyed with all the in-game promos for men's games to come, especially when they go to a graphics shot during game action. But then when I do tune in to other ESPN programs I realize that it isn't just women's BB they do it with. Seems they are generally too busy promoting the rest of their schedule to pay attention to any game they broadcast.

 

[UConner]

I certainly agree with your characterization of ESPN in game analysts! I really do get annoyed with all the in-game promos for men's games to come, especially when they go to a graphics shot during game action. But then when I do tune in to other ESPN programs I realize that it isn't just women's BB they do it with. Seems they are generally too busy promoting the rest of their schedule to pay attention to any game they broadcast.

The third most important thing for the existence of ESPN is to collect eyeballs for their entire network so of course they cross promote. Put the TV on mute and listen to the radio if you can. The first two most important things are obviously promoting UConn and subverting Tenn. And with that I'll crawl back under my rock.

 

[Kibitzer]

Media in general loves a good tragedy, the slower the better. It sells papers, boost ratings and increase page views. It's not as much about a conspiracy than just standard operating procedure and showing an engaged Pat Summit doesn't reaffirm the tragic narrative they are selling.

On top of that we are talking about ESPN's coverage of a women's basketball game. If they aren't hawking what men's game is on next or the next day they have an annoying tendency to drone on about touchy feely subjects that have very little to do with the game when they are suppose to be doing P2P and colour. The fact it's something of substance instead of telling us all about the star player's love of curling or making fresh baked snickerdoodles for the children at a homeless shelter, just means it will talked about pregame, half time and when they come back from every other TV timeout instead of just once.

A reminder of standard media editorial practice when deciding which story gets the headlines and most promimemt placement on air or in printa;

"If it bleeds, it leads!"

 

[trb123]

Some questions.

1. Pat will have a huge say in choosing her successor. - Has the UTN Athlectic department or higher up said this? Or has Pat or one of the assistant coaches said this? Or is this just speculation disguised as common sense? What is the source of this information?

2. What role does the TN WCBB boosters play in choosing her successor? I am open to hearing speculations.

3. I do not think the procedure adopted when Pat or Geno were chosen applies any longer. But the way Calhoun became the UCONN coach (or Pearl et al at UTN) are still relevant. Will someone knowledgable give us some details please?

 

[uconnfan68]

just reading some of these posts and have to say...i am really bewildered at some of the comments about pat and the lady vols.

i mean this post with respect and not to be rude, but the lady is dealing with a terminal illness. could we at least try to avoid congratulatory posts when a top recruits changes her mind? i mean the basis of that change was a woman's illness and inability to coach. (and i am betting we will eventually hear more about what actually prompted the change as well) frankly, i personally want recruits who have the heart and courage to believe in the program and care enough to carry the torch forward.

as to TN's future....sure we are down for a second...and hate to break it to you but when Geno leaves you will fall off for a second as well. ladies go to UCONN to be coached by geno, not some new coach that may take over one day.

believe this though....TN has the money, the community, and the whole state behind Pat and the continued success of the lady vol program. we have the #1 recruiting class as freshman this year. we have a great class next year and things will work out when we name a good coach. we are not ODU. not LA tech, or Texas. not even close. we have real commitment from all parties in the state of tn.

all i can say is that i would never be "happy" about the decline of a program under these conditions. i think UCONN is good for basketball. i don't wish it harm. anyway, this isn't directed to all of you. but to those who find joy in the pain of an icon (that also paved the way for your program) stop and think about your actions.

I "liked" this post. Your subsequent posts have removed it. If you were looking to stir something up, you did.

 

[ctfjr]

well it's more stressful to me. OBVIOUSLY, the players are being emotionally affected by pat's illness. the seniors have always had issues but they are simply lost right now. frankly, i would rather have new players that are total fighters than seeking out a player based on a ranking by hoopgirlz. that's just me though.

I can't believe I just spent as much time as I did reading this thread. . . OK I'm a UConn fan, OK I am really sad about Pat.

There is nothing new here other than to get some people's blood pressure movin' up. I'm pretty sure your whining will go a lot further on an orange board

 

[semper]

Nothing new, except to wonder who, how, and when, in regard to the new coach. And that is endlessly interesting and will continue to be until someone walks on the court with an orange tie/scarf. And even then...This is going to be the big news in WCBB for quite some time, so might as well get used to it.

 

[MarieM]

I take this to be sarcasm, one of a series of unexplicated posts from you including the repetitious knocking of KML.

Readers might better understand if they know that this thread includes not only Big O's straightforward "Tennessee fan's perspective" but your sub rosa one, coming from someone who's assured a fellow orange boarder that you dislike UConn as much as he does.

Not a problem exactly, but you're contributing little here if you fail to explain your position and just put up terse posts of uncertain but faintly subversive intent (except for your Bria Hartley admiration expressed on both boards; seems to be some kind of connection there).

Come on out. Would encourage you to take a cue from Big O and explain a bit more what your view is and why. I'd say we won't bite, but knowing this bunch probably shouldn't over-promise.

It wasn't sarcasm, and how was i knocking KML bysaying she had a bad game it happens, she'll have more of those (hopefully not that often) but it happens

 

[JS]

It wasn't sarcasm, and how was i knocking KML bysaying she had a bad game it happens, she'll have more of those (hopefully not that often) but it happens

If it wasn't sarcasm, what was it? A real opinion? Do you really think the media "enjoys" it when bad things happen to UConn or not? Do you think they enjoy it in the case of Tennessee? Is there differing treatment? If so, why? Do you conclude that complaints like Big O's about ESPN's treatment are justified, or not?

As to the KML bit, the key words I used are "unexplicated" and "repetitious." Consider them.

If you think KML "played BAD" in a game, how exactly did she do that? Don't just say that ESPN said so; they didn't in those words, or rather that word. They may have said her shooting was off, or she made some specific mistakes.

And why did you feel it necessary to repeat the terse observation that she played bad, or equivalent, three times in one thread, without elaboration, unless to knock the player or to annoy other posters? Your thinking was unexplained, so your motive for these repeated posts is suspect.

I trust my point is now clear, and I don't intend to engage in further argument with you in which you "talk back" to me on the board. You can PM me if you like.

I'll give you a pass on your surreptitious status and avowal elsewhere that you can't stand UConn, which you haven't addressed and don't have to address, if you will provide more than what I've called terse posts of uncertain intent. As it is, they're susceptible to an impression of minor trollery that we can dispense with.

 

[BigO]

I "liked" this post. Your subsequent posts have removed it. If you were looking to stir something up, you did.

sorry you don't "like" every post from me. i've had a very calm decent conversation with UCONN fans....can't please everyone though so w/e.

 

[BigO]

Some questions.

1. Pat will have a huge say in choosing her successor. - Has the UTN Athlectic department or higher up said this? Or has Pat or one of the assistant coaches said this? Or is this just speculation disguised as common sense? What is the source of this information?

2. What role does the TN WCBB boosters play in choosing her successor? I am open to hearing speculations.

3. I do not think the procedure adopted when Pat or Geno were chosen applies any longer. But the way Calhoun became the UCONN coach (or Pearl et al at UTN) are still relevant. Will someone knowledgable give us some details please?

i think the same answer applies to all of your Q's.....pat summitt will have a say in the next coach. it is widely known from sources in the university that her input is needed and has been requested. keep in mind this is not like any other vacant position ever in womens basketball. she has built a program and coached for 38 years. there is a zero % chance that she doesn't help pick the next coach. the boosters, governor, and UT will all back pat to the end of time. she is the most iconic person in the state.

that is good for us. i suspect it will be a former assistant coach, a current assistant coach, or a former player who is now coaching. the university will want someone she likes so they can work together throughout the next few years. even if she is not head coach, she will remain a constant in recruiting and the program as long as God allows it. it is her life.

there is no way any outsider will come into TN and start running things. tradition is VERY important to the program. as is loyalty. i can't state that enough. even with a down year so far, things will not be shaken by a single incident or game. (i.e notre dame or kaela davis) the program is much bigger than that. we wish both of them the best.

if i had to guess i would say the next coach will be kelly jollie, nikki caldwell, or maybe matt mitchell but i doubt it.