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TAMPA, Fla. -- Staying in a hotel before Tennessee's NCAA tournament opener in West Lafayette, Ind., last month, senior Nicky Anosike continually kept getting up and turning on the light.
She couldn't sleep. New ideas kept popping in her head. New promises to add to her list, a list that she would present to each team member to sign.
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| Signed, sealed, delivered: The Volunteers deliver on a promise they made to each other. (AP) |
On Tuesday night, the Lady Vols kept their promises, dominating Stanford 64-48 for their second successive NCAA title.
Right before the Rocky Top rout began, the starters were introduced on the St. Pete Times Forum's video board. Like all great players, Candace Parker called her shot: "We're going to win the national title back to back for the second time in school history."
After all, Parker and her teammates had made that promise to each other three weeks ago.
Check this box if you agree to all of these terms. That's what Anosike wrote in the top right corner of each contract followed by the seven championship commandments.
1. Never give up or let up on a play @ any point in time throughout this tournament.
Two years ago, Alexis Hornbuckle broke her wrist diving for a loose ball. Yet, in the Midwest Region semifinal against Notre Dame, Hornbuckle went into the stands chasing after a loose ball. She didn't stop until she went through a barrier and landed on a chair.
She survived. Tennessee's opponents didn't -- Hornbuckle hit the winning bucket with 0.7 seconds remaining in a one-point semifinal victory against LSU on Sunday.
2. Speak up if @ any time I witness a Lady Vol letting the rest of the team down.
Parker joked that she was surprised her team still had confidence in her after missing 21 of 27 shots Sunday. Two nights later, she earned Most Outstanding Player honors for a second successive year after her 17-point, nine-rebound, four-steal, one-guarantee night.
3. Listen to advice that may potentially help the team win a championship.
