LINKS: Phil Fulmer Set to be Named New Tennessee Athletics Director, Per Report

Morning folks! Monday night at Thompson-Bowling was dedicated to Pat Summitt and her legacy, and the Lady Vols responded in kind by roaring back from a 15-point 3rd quarter deficit to knock off #6 Notre Dame 71-69. Tied at 69 with 1:03 remaining, Jaime Nared hit a 15-foot jumper with 10.3 seconds left to secure the (desperately needed) win and end Notre Dame’s six game streak over the Lady Vols.

This win was very much helped by a significantly more balanced performance than the Mercedes-and-Diamond-do-everything show we’ve mostly seen this season, with four players (Russell, DeShields, Jaimie Nared, and Jordan Reynolds) in double digits, and Schaquilla Nunn pitching in 8 points and 4 rebounds in just 12 minutes from the bench.

This was a badly needed win for Holly Warlick, and should hopefully give the team a shot of confidence ahead of SEC play, which begins Thursday night at Auburn.

Also good news: Sunday night ‘18 PG Jazmine Massengill, of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, committed to the Lady Vols, Tennessee's second (along with G Amira Collins of Faifax, VA) top-30 ESPN HoopGurlz commit of the ‘18 class. Massengill is ranked No. 13 ProspectsNation.com; HoopGurlz has her 26th.

Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss
While at the time of this writing the university has yet to officially issue a statement, 247 is reporting Phillip Fulmer’s hire as new athletic director is “about done,” confirming previous reports that the former coach was Tennessee’s “prime candidate” for the job.

We love Phil- and Phil definitely loves Tennessee- but it’s hard not to be a little conflicted about this. Just for starters: we have no idea why it has taken the University six months to settle on a guy with no athletic administrative experience, and who everyone knows would almost certainly take the job if offered. And according to the report, Fulmer’s relationship with UT system president Dr. Joe DiPietro and the support of several “overwhelmingly most prominent boosters” was the difference, which... sure, okay? Seems like a totally fair and meritocratic way to choose the executive of a multi-million dollar public athletics department. On the other hand, we can’t be too mad, because it’s Phil. MIXED EMOTIONS. What say ye, RTT?