Jackson Free Press

Women's college basketball is rightfully gaining attention these days. Last season, the women's national championship game between Texas A&M and Notre Dame was much more exciting than the men's title game.

The men struggled to score points. Connecticut beat Butler 53-41, and the teams put on a display on how not to play basketball. The women's title game, on the other hand, was fun to watch and better played, with the two teams fighting as hard as any men's team could for a championship.

In the end, Texas A&M outlasted Notre Dame 76-70 for the title. For all the hoopla surrounding the men's title game, the ladies simply played a superior brand of basketball and had a more thrilling game.

Since the 1990s, women's basketball has grown. The NCAA tournament has expanded from 32 teams to 40 teams to 48 teams to the current format of 64 teams. Beginning in 2003, every game of the Women's NCAA Tournament has been broadcast on television, and almost every year has seen attendance increases.

When the subject of women's basketball comes up, my mind goes to one place first. That place is the University of Tennessee and, more specifically, Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, the winningest basketball coach ever. Her 1,071 victories outpace every men's or women's coach.

While Summitt has won more than 1,000 games, she still has not reached 200 losses. She and the Vols have won eight national championships (and have been runners-up five times) and made 18 Final Four appearances.

Look at her bio on the Tennessee athletic site, and you begin to see the scope of Summitt's career. You also learn that Summitt has played 47 percent of her games against ranked teams. It's not a bunch of nobodies padding Summitt's record. Each and every season, the Lady Vols have played the best competition in women's basketball.

There is no question that Summitt has helped the growth of women's basketball. Her influence has helped gain traction for her main foil, the Uconn Huskies women's team and coach Geno Auriemma.

Summitt, entering her 39 th season as head coach of Tennessee, announced last August that she was battling early-onset dementia. Arguably the most recognizable face in the women's game might be entering her final season.

The scope and reach of Summitt's career will never be truly quantified, and the women's game will never be able to fully thank Summitt for her contributions to the game. She helped transform women's basketball from an afterthought to a place in the spotlight. If you've never given women's basketball a chance, I challenge you to watch and to learn more about this remarkable woman.

I could never put into words how much class, dignity and grace Summitt has displayed in her career. College basketball will not be the same without her. I wish her the best this season.

Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.