NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) runs to celebrate with guard Amber Orrange (33) after a basket and foul against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers with forward Taylor Greenfield (4) and guard Lili Thompson (1) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports Headed down to the peninsula for the womens basketball game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Tennessee Lady Volunteers guard Meighan Simmons (10) controls the ball against Stanford Cardinal forward Kailee Johnson (32) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports Though I frequently get assigned mens college games and by that nature most the womens games I do get assigned are generally BIG games. Always a treat! Today was no different as #3 Lady Vols visited the #6 Stanford Cardinal.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Tennessee Lady Volunteers guard Meighan Simmons (10) drives in against Stanford Cardinal guard Alex Green (00) during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

For me, it's wonderful to watch two teams who are so well coached, good sports(wo)man, the winner comes down to who had a better game, the defeated walk away with an experience to learn/grow from for the rest of the season, they play aggressively and put it all on the court but appreciate the good competition and then help each other up after plays.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Isabelle Harrison (20) helps up Stanford Cardinal forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Taylor Greenfield (4) helps up forward Mikaela Ruef (3) as Tennessee Lady Volunteers forward Cierra Burdick (11) and Stanford Cardinal forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) help up Tennessee Lady Volunteers guard Andraya Carter (14) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports It's also awesome to see the mens football team come out and support a womens team in a packed arena. Whether it's winning, campus culture or community that creates this environment... the Golden Bear in me hates to admit it, but Stanford really has it figured out!

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal football team fill a section to support the womens basketball team before the game against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal fans hold a sign and wave towels during the first half against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal assistant coach Kate Paye, head coach Tara VanDerveer and associate head coach Amy Tucker follow the free throw against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports And they figured it out enough to hold off the Lady Vols getting back within 2 points, before sealing the deal.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Tennessee Lady Volunteers bench celebrate after a three point basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Amber Orrange (33) scores a basket and foul against Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Isabelle Harrison (20) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal celebrate behind Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Isabelle Harrison (20) after a win at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Something I think worthy of discussion is the name "Lady Vols" versus simply "Vols or Volunteers" as the men would be. There are other womens teams who are "Lady ::Mascot::" name and some that reject the notion. With a team like Tennessee where "Lady Vols" is part of their legacy, I like head coach emeritus Pat Summitt take on it "I wanted to be equal, certainly. But I like the word lady" =)

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at StanfordDec 21, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal and Tennessee Lady Volunteers players join in a huddle after the game at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers 76-70. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports