[WBB fan]

That 12th player was Rebecca frickin’ Lobo, who USA Basketball insisted be on the team for marketing purposes, in place of much better pro players, namely Venus Lacy or Val Whiting, who were in the ABL at that point.

I remember the of immense proportions kerfuffles when Tara didn’t play her as much as fans of a certain school insisted she deserved.

VG

If you're referring to the women's league, the ABL, it did not exist before the Olympics. It was formed after the Atlanta games. And Venus Lacey was a member of the 1996 women's Olympic team. There was much about that team that was interesting, and said a great deal about Tara as a coach concerned with doing the best possible job she had with the players she had. Worth noting that the starting point guard was Dawn Staley, and that neither Jennifer Azzi nor Katie Steding started.

[WBB fan]

That 12th player was Rebecca frickin’ Lobo, who USA Basketball insisted be on the team for marketing purposes, in place of much better pro players, namely Venus Lacy or Val Whiting, who were in the ABL at that point.

I remember the of immense proportions kerfuffles when Tara didn’t play her as much as fans of a certain school insisted she deserved.

VG

If you're referring to the women's league, the ABL, it did not exist before the Olympics. It was formed after the Atlanta games. And Venus Lacey was a member of the 1996 women's Olympic team. There was much about that team that was interesting, and said a great deal about Tara as a coach concerned with doing the best possible job she had with the players she had. Worth noting that the starting point guard was Dawn Staley, and that neither Jennifer Azzi nor Katie Steding started.

[crackpot]

And she is still paying for it, given the lack of air time that Lobo gives to Stanford when she is providing color during halftime at women's college games. When she speaks of prominent women's teams, she rarely mentions Stanford.

I've thought she's spoken quite highly of Stanford. I was *most definitely* not a Lobo fan, but became one after reading Tara's book.

[crackpot]

And she is still paying for it, given the lack of air time that Lobo gives to Stanford when she is providing color during halftime at women's college games. When she speaks of prominent women's teams, she rarely mentions Stanford.

I've thought she's spoken quite highly of Stanford. I was *most definitely* not a Lobo fan, but became one after reading Tara's book.

[Phogge]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago but eleven titles to two puts Geno in a solo category. The fact that he is a SOB pisses me off but there is no debate on his legacy.

[Phogge]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago but eleven titles to two puts Geno in a solo category. The fact that he is a SOB pisses me off but there is no debate on his legacy.

[2006alum]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago . . . 

Is there any reason to think she ever sought out an athletic director position? This may sound funny, but I think Tara would rather immerse herself with X's O's, film, and scouting reports than payroll, overhead, and "donor relations." I honestly can't imagine anyone better suited to her professional calling than Tara is to basketball coaching. Watching her work her magical adjustments game after game, year after year, has been just so much fun to watch, to see someone excel at something they also clearly care so much about.

[2006alum]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago . . . 

Is there any reason to think she ever sought out an athletic director position? This may sound funny, but I think Tara would rather immerse herself with X's O's, film, and scouting reports than payroll, overhead, and "donor relations." I honestly can't imagine anyone better suited to her professional calling than Tara is to basketball coaching. Watching her work her magical adjustments game after game, year after year, has been just so much fun to watch, to see someone excel at something they also clearly care so much about.

[81alum]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago . . . 

Is there any reason to think she ever sought out an athletic director position? This may sound funny, but I think Tara would rather immerse herself with X's O's, film, and scouting reports than payroll, overhead, and "donor relations." I honestly can't imagine anyone better suited to her professional calling than Tara is to basketball coaching. Watching her work her magical adjustments game after game, year after year, has been just so much fun to watch, to see someone excel at something they also clearly care so much about.

Entirely agree.  She might have been a great AD, but even if she was--it would have been a waste of a truly unique talent that she has.  I'm reminded of why so many virtuoso musicians don't go on to become conductors.

[81alum]

Tara is great and should have been named Stanford AD decades ago . . . 

Is there any reason to think she ever sought out an athletic director position? This may sound funny, but I think Tara would rather immerse herself with X's O's, film, and scouting reports than payroll, overhead, and "donor relations." I honestly can't imagine anyone better suited to her professional calling than Tara is to basketball coaching. Watching her work her magical adjustments game after game, year after year, has been just so much fun to watch, to see someone excel at something they also clearly care so much about.

Entirely agree.  She might have been a great AD, but even if she was--it would have been a waste of a truly unique talent that she has.  I'm reminded of why so many virtuoso musicians don't go on to become conductors.

[Phogge]

Whoa. Jus sayin fellows...

[Phogge]

Whoa. Jus sayin fellows...

[Viking_Guy]

Sorry about my faulty memory.  Val had played professionally in Italy, I believe, not the ABL, prior to the 1996 Olympics.  But she was the first alternate left out of the team for Lobo, who rarely played.

Tara did a wonderful job of managing some conflicting personalities on that team (I read several books on the team, and the player sources that each author was using strongly influenced their stories).  Dawn was amazing, and in some ways I think the most similar to Tara in her intensity about the game.  And given the national teams' bronze finishes in 1992 and at the Worlds in 1994, Tara and the players' dedication really paid off, and has kept paying off.

And oh how I wish the ABL had been the model for a successful league, rather than as an NBA organizational add-on.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Sorry about my faulty memory.  Val had played professionally in Italy, I believe, not the ABL, prior to the 1996 Olympics.  But she was the first alternate left out of the team for Lobo, who rarely played.

Tara did a wonderful job of managing some conflicting personalities on that team (I read several books on the team, and the player sources that each author was using strongly influenced their stories).  Dawn was amazing, and in some ways I think the most similar to Tara in her intensity about the game.  And given the national teams' bronze finishes in 1992 and at the Worlds in 1994, Tara and the players' dedication really paid off, and has kept paying off.

And oh how I wish the ABL had been the model for a successful league, rather than as an NBA organizational add-on.

VG

[81alum]

UPDATE FEBRUARY 25; Tara 7 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  24
Tara's total wins so far: 1091
Number of wins to tie Pat: 7
Number of games guaranteed to play this season:* 4

Geno's wins this season: 23
Geno's total wins so far: 1085
Number of wins to tie Pat: 13
Number of games guaranteed to play this season:* 5

[81alum]

UPDATE FEBRUARY 25; Tara 7 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  24
Tara's total wins so far: 1091
Number of wins to tie Pat: 7
Number of games guaranteed to play this season:* 4

Geno's wins this season: 23
Geno's total wins so far: 1085
Number of wins to tie Pat: 13
Number of games guaranteed to play this season:* 5

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

[Spiny_Norman]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

That's a much better title than using Pat Head Summit's maiden name. :-)

[Spiny_Norman]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

That's a much better title than using Pat Head Summit's maiden name. :-)

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

That's a much better title than using Pat Head Summit's maiden name. :-)

Touché!

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

That's a much better title than using Pat Head Summit's maiden name. :-)

Touché!

[81alum]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

Done!

[81alum]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

Done!

[fishman]

It's really an unfair comparison.  Tara coaches in the tougher Pac 12 and Geno coached in the weak AAC (returning next season to the Big East).

[fishman]

It's really an unfair comparison.  Tara coaches in the tougher Pac 12 and Geno coached in the weak AAC (returning next season to the Big East).

[M T]

It's really an unfair comparison.  Tara coaches in the tougher Pac 12 and Geno coached in the weak AAC (returning next season to the Big East).

Read the earlier posts in this thread

[M T]

It's really an unfair comparison.  Tara coaches in the tougher Pac 12 and Geno coached in the weak AAC (returning next season to the Big East).

Read the earlier posts in this thread

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

Done!

Thanks for humoring a fellow 80s alum!

[JJJ]

I know no one really cares but I would’ve liked to see “The Race to the Summit” as the title of this thread. ;)

Done!

Thanks for humoring a fellow 80s alum!

[M T]

Updating so far...

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067; through the 2019-20 regular season:  1092

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062; through the 2019-20 regular season: 1088


Tara needs 6 to tie, 7 to pass.
The most wins possibly remaining for Stanford is 3 in the PAC-12 tournament and 6 in the NCAA tournament.
The most likely path to exactly 6 wins is 2 wins in the PAC-12 tournament (making the Finals) and 4 in the NCAA (making the Final Four).

It likely will take a win over one of the top 4 teams (out of likely 2 chances) to get to 6 wins.  Not an easy task, but not a miracle.


The most wins possibly remaining for UConn is 3 in the AAC tournament and 6 in the NCAA tournament.
Geno can not pass Pat Summitt this year.

[M T]

Updating so far...

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067; through the 2019-20 regular season:  1092

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062; through the 2019-20 regular season: 1088


Tara needs 6 to tie, 7 to pass.
The most wins possibly remaining for Stanford is 3 in the PAC-12 tournament and 6 in the NCAA tournament.
The most likely path to exactly 6 wins is 2 wins in the PAC-12 tournament (making the Finals) and 4 in the NCAA (making the Final Four).

It likely will take a win over one of the top 4 teams (out of likely 2 chances) to get to 6 wins.  Not an easy task, but not a miracle.


The most wins possibly remaining for UConn is 3 in the AAC tournament and 6 in the NCAA tournament.
Geno can not pass Pat Summitt this year.

[81alum]

UPDATE March 8; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 28
Geno's total wins so far: 1090
Number of wins to tie Pat: 8

Tara needs 4 wins.  If the NCAAs began today and all the seeds held, we would win 3 games and set up the first game next year as "the game."  We have occasionally scheduled a top team as our first game--we have opened against UConn before, for example.   

Geno needs 8 wins and he will almost certainly get one tomorrow in his league championship.  It looks like he will also be set up for early next year.  I would guess UConn gets to the final four and loses there.  If so, he will be 3 wins shy going into next season.

[81alum]

UPDATE March 8; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 28
Geno's total wins so far: 1090
Number of wins to tie Pat: 8

Tara needs 4 wins.  If the NCAAs began today and all the seeds held, we would win 3 games and set up the first game next year as "the game."  We have occasionally scheduled a top team as our first game--we have opened against UConn before, for example.   

Geno needs 8 wins and he will almost certainly get one tomorrow in his league championship.  It looks like he will also be set up for early next year.  I would guess UConn gets to the final four and loses there.  If so, he will be 3 wins shy going into next season.

[TheFarm07]

UPDATE March 8; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 28
Geno's total wins so far: 1090
Number of wins to tie Pat: 8

Tara needs 4 wins.  If the NCAAs began today and all the seeds held, we would win 3 games and set up the first game next year as "the game."  We have occasionally scheduled a top team as our first game--we have opened against UConn before, for example.   

Geno needs 8 wins and he will almost certainly get one tomorrow in his league championship.  It looks like he will also be set up for early next year.  I would guess UConn gets to the final four and loses there.  If so, he will be 3 wins shy going into next season.

I think UConn will get a #2 seed, so if they are matched up against Oregon or South Carolina, I think they will not get to the Final Four. I think they have a better chance against Baylor or the likely 4th #1 seed, Maryland.

[TheFarm07]

UPDATE March 8; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 28
Geno's total wins so far: 1090
Number of wins to tie Pat: 8

Tara needs 4 wins.  If the NCAAs began today and all the seeds held, we would win 3 games and set up the first game next year as "the game."  We have occasionally scheduled a top team as our first game--we have opened against UConn before, for example.   

Geno needs 8 wins and he will almost certainly get one tomorrow in his league championship.  It looks like he will also be set up for early next year.  I would guess UConn gets to the final four and loses there.  If so, he will be 3 wins shy going into next season.

I think UConn will get a #2 seed, so if they are matched up against Oregon or South Carolina, I think they will not get to the Final Four. I think they have a better chance against Baylor or the likely 4th #1 seed, Maryland.

[WBB fan]

With cancellation of all conference tournaments and now the NCAA tournament, there are no more wins that either Tara or Geno can get this year. And that means that with a Stanford record of 27-6 and UConn of 29-3 (records as of last game played) Geno picked up only 2 wins over Tara this year. Looks as if it's very good bet that next year, Tara will pass Summit before Geno does.

[WBB fan]

With cancellation of all conference tournaments and now the NCAA tournament, there are no more wins that either Tara or Geno can get this year. And that means that with a Stanford record of 27-6 and UConn of 29-3 (records as of last game played) Geno picked up only 2 wins over Tara this year. Looks as if it's very good bet that next year, Tara will pass Summit before Geno does.

[81alum]

UPDATE March 12; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 29
Geno's total wins so far: 1091
Number of wins to tie Pat: 7


With Covid-19 ending the season early, this is how it will be when the season starts next November.  Tara will need 4 and Geno will need 7. 

It will create some interesting issues with scheduling.  Do we play someone special in the 4th game, after having cream puffs in the first 3? 

In any case, this race, like so many other aspects of sport, is on pause.

[81alum]

UPDATE March 12; Tara  4 wins to tie Pat

Summitt lifetime wins:  1098

Tara through the 2018-19 season: 1067

Geno Auriemma through the 2018-19 season:  1062
________________________________________________

Tara's wins this season:  27
Tara's total wins so far: 1094
Number of wins to tie Pat: 4

Geno's wins this season: 29
Geno's total wins so far: 1091
Number of wins to tie Pat: 7


With Covid-19 ending the season early, this is how it will be when the season starts next November.  Tara will need 4 and Geno will need 7. 

It will create some interesting issues with scheduling.  Do we play someone special in the 4th game, after having cream puffs in the first 3? 

In any case, this race, like so many other aspects of sport, is on pause.