Readers get final say on Tennessee, Lady Vols basketball. Well, kind of. | Adams

I was ready to close the book on Tennessee basketball, which had a not-so-sweet ending for the Vols and Lady Vols in the NCAA Tournament.

But I didn’t want to cheat my literary contributors out of having the final word. So, I will let them close the book.

Bruce: You seem to have a mean streak when it comes to UT teams. Not much support.

My response: You’re confusing a columnist with cheerleaders.

Neither the Vols nor Lady Vols played up to their potential in the Sweet 16. I merely pointed that out.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

James writes: Tennessee should go ahead and cut their losses and move to replace Coach Harper. She is not a good recruiter of high school talent and the portal can not be her friend if she insists on playing the lesser athletes, who are one dimensional and can only shoot unguarded 3-point shots.

My response: One reason the Lady Vols won 25 games: coach Kellie Harper plucked leading scorer Rickea Jackson from the transfer portal.

Nonetheless, Tennessee couldn’t advance beyond the Sweet 16 with Jackson and Jordan Horston, who will be a high pick in the next WNBA Draft. So, there’s more work to be done.

Two words: Player development.

Mike writes: You are absolutely correct when you write that the Lady Vols are no longer an "elite" program. As I look around the country, I see other programs that have been highly effective in recruiting the top players right out of high school and in also utilizing the transfer portal to build programs that today are still playing in the tournament, while the Lady Vols have headed home.

In only two years at LSU, Kim Mulkey has achieved much more than Kellie Harper has achieved in four years. I guess we can at least be proud that our coach does not show up at the games wearing trashy looking pink feathers.

My response: I thought Mulkey was getting ready to go airborne. Maybe, her feathery attire was to remind us LSU is flying high.

Never mind that she won three national championships at Baylor. Getting a team with no more talent or depth than this one to the Final Four might be her best coaching job.

Ed writes: The Lady Vols battled so hard to cut the deficit to one against Virginia Tech. Then, it is though they took a breath, relaxed and the next thing you know we are down by ten.

You can’t relax, as the General Neyland’s Maxim says, “pour on more steam.”

My response: The Lady Vols ran out of steam. The Hokies poured it on.

Give Tennessee credit for its comeback. But it played terribly in falling behind by 18 points.

Chad writes: Isn't it bad enough that the Lady Vols lost in the Sweet 16, and for you to make the appalling comment: “another reminder of how Tennessee now ranks in women’s basketball.”

Wow... so you care to elaborate. Your comment were rather vague.

My response: Vague? I also wrote that it’s no longer an elite program. Elite programs regularly compete for national championships, just like the Lady Vols once did under coach Pat Summitt.

Tennessee is now a top-20 program. Maybe, that’s good enough for you.

ADAMS:Lady Vols loss to Virginia Tech in Sweet 16 reminds you they aren't elite program

ADAMS:Tennessee basketball played game worthy of its NCAA Tournament reputation

Ray writes: You simply have it all wrong.

These people in which you and other hot & cold fans rant about all have your heads stuck in an area uncomfortable for sitting.

I understand your crusty reviews of Coach Barnes and his players but you do this for a living and these young people do it because they love the sport.

Unplug your computer and go cover horse pucky removal at The Derby and quit finding fault constantly with Coach Barnes and UT.

My response: Thanks for reminding me that I no longer get to cover the Kentucky Derby.

My only criticism of Barnes is how he has fared in the NCAA Tournament. He’s a great program builder, stays out of trouble with the NCAA and helps people in the community.

Darryl writes: John, I am not going to shave a 4 in my hair until the Vols/ Lady Vols basketball team make a Final Four. I am 59 and holding and probably won’t have any hair by any chance either Vols Basketball program ever make a final 4.

My response: I didn’t really expect you to follow my suggestion. I will publish your emails anyway.

Aileen writes: Well, another Sweet 16 , non-competitive, appearance. Is this all Lady Vols fans want?

Kellie Harper can't coach against the best teams. Her staff is more incompetent than she is, but she refuses to get better assistants.

The University of Tennessee should have learned its lesson from the Holly Warlick fiasco. It's time to move on. Don't wait two more years hoping for a miracle.

My response: A miracle might not be necessary if Tennessee fans can pony up enough NIL money to attract transfers.

Maybe, UT could buy Virginia Tech point guard Georgia Amoore. She has been awesome in the NCAA Tournament.

And she’s only a junior.

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

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball, Lady Vols fans sound off on March Madness