MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Baylor coach Kim Mulkey takes plenty of pride in her team's regional semifinals win. That doesn't mean she takes pleasure in seeing Tennessee's Pat Summitt lose.
"You have to take satisfaction from winning for these kids up here. I don't take any satisfaction in beating Pat Summitt today," Mulkey said. "Pat is our John Wooden."
Baylor advanced to its second NCAA regional final in four tries with a 77-62 win over Tennessee on Saturday.
One of those losses in the round of 16 came in a 71-69 loss to Tennessee in 2004. The teams were tied at 69 when Lady Vols Shyra Ely and Tasha Butts missed two shots on the goal in the final seconds.
In the scramble for the rebound, Baylor's Jessika Stratton collided with Butts and was called for a foul. The foul withstood a review by the officials to see if it came after time expired, and Butts hit two free throws to grab the win.
The Lady Bears went on to win the national title in 2005, and Mulkey is the only women's coach to win national championships as both a player and a coach. She also won the 1981 AIAW title and the 1984 NCAA title playing for Louisiana Tech and the 1988 crown as a Lady Techsters assistant coach.
Summitt still has more having won the national championship eight times, but the success hasn't gone to the hall of fame coach's head.
"Pat is a legend in the game, and we want our program where Pat's program has been and will continue to be," she said. "She is just class. I go back a ways with Pat. I have watched her from a distance, and she is one of the classiest people in how she treats me or any other people she goes way back with."