CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Here's how Miami coach Katie Meier plans to thank Pat Summitt: by beating Tennessee.
If that happens, maybe Summitt will regret that recommendation she made in 2001.
The story goes like this. Meier was vying for her first head-coaching job at Charlotte a decade ago. Summitt, the legendary Tennessee coach, made a phone call on her behalf.
Not long afterward, Meier got hired, the first step on a path that now brings her to Knoxville, Tenn., for tonight's early-season showdown between the seventh-ranked Hurricanes (1-0) and the third-ranked Vols (1-0) (6, ESPN2).
"She's done that for 1,000 people," Meier said. "So it meant a lot just to schedule this game. And I know it's going to be emotional and inspirational."
Summitt announced before the season that she has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, news that rocked the close-knit women's basketball world, Meier included.
The diagnosis has changed nothing for Summitt - she's still the Tennessee coach, still driven to win and has a team this season that could very easily deliver her ninth national championship.
Meier has a team that enters the season as a realistic national-title hopeful for the first time.
Monday's games
No. 21 Louisiana State 64, Wichita State 56: Jeanne Kenney scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting to lead LSU at Wichita State. LaSondra Barrett added 16 points for the Tigers (1-0). Wichita State (1-1) was led by Jessica Diamond's 16 points.
It was the LSU debut for coach Nikki Caldwell, a former Tennessee teammate of Wichita State coach Jody Adams.
Davidson 75, Mercer 60: Laura Murray had 19 points, five assists and five steals to lead Davidson (1-1) in its home opener. Sophia Aleksandravicius added 17 points and eight rebounds. Briana Williams scored 18 to lead Mercer (0-2), and Precious Bridges added 12.
South Carolina 60, Alabama A&M 53: Ashley Bruner had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Aleighsa Welch added 12 and nine in a strong night for the Gamecocks (2-0) frontcourt at home. Whiquitta Tobar scored 20 for Alabama A&M (0-2).
Western Carolina 69, Charleston Southern 65: Alex Abraham and Caitlin Hollifield led the Catamounts (2-0) with 14 points apiece in the home win. Helen Terry led Charleston Southern (2-1) with 15.
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There have been some wild, crazy endings to North Carolina-Duke games over the 233-game history of the rivalry, and Duke's 85-84 victory Wednesday night at the Smith Center will take its place as one of the craziest and most memorable of all - if not the most. 
Right about the time the Smith Center crowd was mouthing "O'er the ramparts we watched," 700 miles away, Jordan Daniels was sinking the free throw that changed what the game would mean entirely. 
The Wolfpack cannot lose this game and still harbor serious hopes of earning an NCAA bid based on its regular-season resume. 
Virginia coach Tony Bennett didn't need to call a single timeout. 
Maybe 20 minutes after he knocked down a shot that will forever be associated with his Duke career, Austin Rivers walked back out onto the same Smith Center court for a post-game interview with television reporters. 
Shenise Johnson scored 19 points and Riquna Williams added 17 to lead No. 6 Miami to a 61-37 win over No. 22 North Carolina on Wednesday night. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
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