Tennessee couldn't keep up with North Carolina. In a televised rematch of last year's Elite Eight game, both sides played at warp speed, but UNC handled it better: the Tar Heels pulled down ten more boards.

Larkins led the way. Pringle tried hard to guard Parker, and Latta got more help from other guards than she did last year. "We showed some great character," Larkins said.

For her part, CP scored a season-high 27, but didn't get much help: juco transfer Bobbitt, UT's starting point guard, looked fast, but confused, against the pressure. Coach Summitt: "We really struggled."

The sold-out Carmichael crowd loved it. Last year's Tar Heels actually drew more fans on the road than they did at home, where they have played in the shadow of the ACC men. Have things finally changed?