Tennessee should add women's bowling to enhance Vanderbilt rivalry | Adams

The Tennessee athletic department needs to add women’s bowling as a sport.

Why? So, it could beat Vanderbilt in something else.

I realize the Commodores have a successful women’s bowling program. In fact, I try to point that out occasionally. I last pointed it out in 2016 as I recall. I could be off a decade or so.

But how successful would Vanderbilt be in bowling if it had to face off against UT? My guess is the mere sight of orange would induce a procession of gutter balls.

The Commodores have a recent history of taking a tumble against Tennessee in many sports. They will have a chance to change their fortunes Saturday in a men’s basketball game at storied (euphemism for antiquated) Memorial Gymnasium.

This past football season, I mentioned how fortunate the Vols were to have Vanderbilt as an in-state rival in football. Florida must deal with Florida State on an annual basis. South Carolina must contend with Clemson. Alabama always must be wary of Auburn overachieving at the Tide’s expense.

But Tennessee gets Vanderbilt. As a result, the Vols have a five-game winning streak in football, which comes on the heels of the program’s Dark Ages during which the Commodores won five of seven games.

The series has since followed a more familiar course. In UT’s five consecutive victories, it has outscored Vanderbilt 219-72.

The Vols’ current superiority against Vanderbilt isn’t just in football, though.

Remember when Vanderbilt had the most prestigious baseball program in the state? Tennessee coach Tony Vitello has put an end to that. The Vols have won the past seven games in the series. And they have outscored the Commodores 57-14 in the process.

The Lady Vols also have been prospering at the expense of their in-state rival. They have won seven consecutive games in women’s basketball. Five of those victories were by a double-figure margin.

All that Tennessee success in three different sports must make you wonder about the bizarre event that occurred on Feb. 8 last year.  Vanderbilt beat Tennessee in men’s basketball at Memorial Gymnasium, 66-65. The outcome seemed even stranger when you delved into the details.

The Vols had plenty of chances to increase a 65-63 lead. Olivier Nkamhoua missed a 15-foot shot. Julian Phillips passed up a possible dunk. Santiago Vescovi missed a free throw after the Commodores fouled five times to put a Vol on the foul line.

Those mishaps set up Tyrin Lawrence’s last-second heroics. He hit a corner 3-pointer to end Vanderbilt’s 11-game losing streak to the Vols.

His shot defied the odds. Tennessee had entered the game leading the nation in 3-point defense, having allowed previous opponents to make only 21.9 percent of their shots. Vanderbilt made nine other 3-pointers.

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Given the circumstances, it’s no wonder Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse said afterward: “We finally experienced that Memorial Magic.” Another magic act might be required for the Commodores to win Saturday.

Regardless of the outcome, Vanderbilt should continue to dominate the SEC in bowling. In case you’re wondering, no other SEC school has a women’s bowling team.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 orjohn.adams@knonews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.