The biggest story in the basketball world this week was Tara VanDerveer officially claiming her status as the winningest coach in college basketball history. The last time VanDerveer had a coaching milestone, the occasion of passing Pat Summitt as the winningest coach in women’s basketball was commemorated in an empty arena during the pandemic season. Although Vanderveer said she appreciated the intimacy of celebrating with only her players in 2020, it was fitting that this record-breaking win came in front of a packed house at Maples Pavilion, with the exuberance of the crowd meeting the magnitude of the moment.
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Thompson: Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer’s historic milestone deserves historic honor
VanDerveer’s milestone was almost put on hold by the second-biggest story in college basketball this week — a recent spate of high-profile injuries. Stanford star Cameron Brink missed most of the Cardinal’s game against Oregon earlier in the weekend and was ruled out shortly before the historic win against Oregon State. Fellow All-American Ayoka Lee of Kansas State had ankle surgery and will be out for at least one month. Then, Georgia Amoore took an elbow to the head during Virginia Tech’s loss to Duke and sat out Sunday against Clemson — the first time she…
