After more than a week of anticipation, the Skyhawk women’s basketball team now has a dancing partner in this year’s NCAA tournament.
The partner is none other than their big sister from the East, the Lady Vols.
The Skyhawks will face the Vols at 3:15 local time Saturday, March 17, in Chicago.
Just like last year’s NCAA appearance, the Skyhawks drew a 15 seed in the tourney. The Lady Vols (24-8) received a No. 2 seed in the tournament.
UTM head coach Kevin McMillan hoped to garner a higher seed, but understands the importance of the matchup.
“We had hoped that we had played our way into a 14 seed because we just figure that you need to get out of that 16 or 15 game and we didn’t this year, “ McMillan said. “I think that is something that we’ve got to talk about going forward is how to get out of that game because it is tough to play the two. There are 10 teams in the country that are head and shoulders above everybody else, so if you are a 16 or a 15 or halfway through the 14s then you’ve got your work cut out for you.
“I think they put us together for a reason and it’s because of Pat (Summitt) and what’s going on with her, so for us to be a part of that game and a part of this history, it’s great,” McMillan said.
McMillan also understands the value of UTM playing on such a high-level stage, against a perennial powerhouse like the Lady Volunteers.
“There will be a lot of media coverage for us, a lot of publicity for The University of Tennessee at Martin,” McMillan said.
“We have really talked about it, if you are going to be a 15 or a 16 seed, then you might as well get Baylor or Connecticut, Stanford, Tennessee. Get one of those teams. If you can’t get out of the game, play one of the ones that is going to help your program the most.”
UTM Athletics Director Phil Dane said while he is excited for the draw, he has mixed feelings about Pat Summitt facing her alma mater.
“I think it’s great. In some ways I’d like to play somebody besides Tennessee because of Pat, but it’s obviously going to be a big story,” Dane said.
Dane added that the location of the first round played a role in the matchup.
“I kinda had us picked for Chicago just because of geography. I think it will be great fun to see how we match up against them. I know coach McMillan is already thinking strategy,” Dane said.
Dane said that as soon as the announcement was made his office got to work on the logistical side of the trip.
“We are still trying to get details on whether we fly or we drive. According to the guidelines, if it is over 400 miles you fly,” Dane said.
Taylor Hall, the lone senior on the squad, also grasps the significance of playing the Lady Vols.
“It’s a good experience. They are women’s basketball,” Hall said. “It’s a big story, it’s a big game, we are all excited. Mad about the seed, but excited about the game.”
The Vols hold a 13-2 all-time record against UTM. The only two losses came in 1971 and 1972, when Pat Head Summitt played for the Skyhawks.
