Lady Vols’ long streak in AP’s top 10 ends

Tennessee’s record run in the top 10 women’s basketball rankings is over.

The Lady Vols’ streak of 211 consecutive weeks in the top 10 ended Monday when they were ranked 11th in the Associated Press’ top 25 poll. Tennessee, which lost a road game to then-No. 6 Texas, 73-59, Sunday, was last out of the first 10 on March 3, 1997. The run went 56 weeks longer than the men’s record of 155 set by UCLA.

North Carolina, which stayed No. 2 this week, now has the longest active women’s streak in the top 10 with 70 consecutive weeks. It would take them nearly eight years to match the Lady Vols’ run.

Meanwhile, Connecticut remained the AP poll’s unanimous No. 1 choice for the third consecutive week.

It’s only the second time Tennessee has been ranked so low since opening the season at No. 3 in 1986. The Lady Vols visit Old Dominion on Thursday before playing host to No. 3 Stanford on Sunday.

Etc.

Nearly seven decades after Pete Newell graduated from Loyola Marymount, more than 100 of his family members, former players and friends gathered there Monday morning to celebrate his legacy. Newell, a Hall of Famer who was the first coach to guide a team to the NIT and NCAA championship and an Olympic gold medal, died Nov. 17 at the age of 93. Former Lakers star Jerry West was one of those who spoke of Newell’s ability to touch the lives of others. Former UCLA coach John Wooden was among those who attended the memorial service. . . . Utah has suspended junior guard Luka Drca for two games for an intentional foul committed in a loss last week to Oklahoma.