What's a Final Four without Lady Vols?

Just think of it: Pat Summitt's Tennessee Lady Vols have played in 13 of the NCAA's 21 women's Final Fours. ... Bob Knight claims he's pulling for Indiana in the men's Final Four, but you have to wonder, given the bad blood between him and his former assistant, Hoosier coach Mike Davis. ... I'm told Knight's new book whitewashes his profanity, violence-laden coaching career. ... Arkansas guard J.J. Sullinger apparently will transfer to Ohio State in the wake of Nolan Richardson's firing. ... Sooner fans are giddy over their men's and women's teams playing in the Final Fours.

Were they serious?

Looking back 18 months, wasn't it ridiculous that Tennessee's Tony Harris was a candidate for the Wooden Award, given to America's five best college players? ... Blackie Sherrod's neighbor Jones says his dog is like a member of the family, but he's not sure which one.

Not brain surgery, folks

NCAA neurologists are contemplating letting college football players compete five years instead of four. Next thing you know, they'll decide college players don't have to attend class or even enroll. No bother; some of them fall into that category now. ... Ex-Tennessee Vol basketball assistant Jack Fertig has a new book titled: "Life's a joke: Tales of a College Basketball Vagabond." It contained 280 stories collected during his 30 years at nine Division I schools. ... Fertig tells about the Vols playing in the Great Alaska Shootout in the 1980s. The team went to a gift shop in Anchorage, and one of the Vols asked the clerk: "Do you take American money?"

Cashing in

Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer wasn't the SEC's highest-paid football coach very long. Nick Saban's new LSU deal guarantees him $1.6 million a year, highest in the SEC. Will Vol AD Doug Dickey soon be raising Phil Fulmer's contract to $1.601 mil? Gotta stay ahead of the Joneses. ... Great quote from Vol signee Mondre Dickerson, a defensive end, who hopes he also can make the cheerleader squad: "I like throwing the girls in the air." But can he toss QBs? ... The electronic sign in front of Alabama's Coleman (basketball) Coliseum says: "There is no 'I' in Teem." No 'A' either.

Dismal Detroit

Ex-Vol Phil Garner, who's had the misfortune to manage major league clubs totally void of talent, suddenly has the lowly Detroit Tigers thinking pennant. With only one big-time hitter, Dmitri Young, Scrap Iron's Tigers have the eighth best spring-training won-lost record among the 30 teams, second only to Minnesota in the AL Central. Garner has managed Houston, Milwaukee and now Detroit, and none of his GMs has fed him enough talent to be a pennant contender. ... The major league season begins Sunday. ... Club owners would boost their crowds if they'd schedule some late afternoon games so school kids could attend.

Remembering Neyland

Gen. Bob Neyland was buried in Knoxville 40 years ago Thursday, March 28, 1962.