USA - Incredible Hulk goes orange

KNOXVILLE (NCAA) - Bruce Pearl is one of the most colourful characters in college basketball.
And you can take that literally after the Tennessee coach daubed himself in orange body paint to cheer on the Lady Vols from the student section on Monday night.

The antics of Pearl, who has revitalised the men’s basketball program in Knoxville since taking charge at the start of last season, became famous when a locker room video of his "incredible hulk" impersonation surfaced last season.

The video showed Pearl celebrating a win over Kentucky by ripping off his jacket and shirt and flexing his muscles before being swamped by his players.

He was at it in public on Monday, painted orange with a huge blue V on his chest. Together with several of his players, Pearl helped spell out “Go Vols” in the crowd.

Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, who has an NCAA record 930 wins to her name, enthusiastically acknowledged Pearl’s efforts, although ultimately they did not help her team in a 74-70 loss to top-ranked Duke.

It was only the 17th-ever defeat for the Lady Vols at the Thompson-Boling Arena, since it opened in 1987.

Tennessee rallied from 21 points down to make a fight of it in the closing stages, but the Blue Devils hung on to remain unbeaten.

Despite the loss, the Lady Vols appreciated the efforts of Pearl and his players.

"Ever since Bruce Pearl got here, we have been friends with the guys," forward Sidney Spencer told ESPN.com. "They have supported us, and we have supported them. It's great for our team."

The Duke players were equally impressed.

"I'm going to go suggest it to [Duke men's coach Mike Krzyzewski]," Duke's Abby Waner said, leaving us to imagine a bizarre vision of the man who doubles as the Team USA coach.

"It's great that the support is there. We get that from our men's program, too. I'm sure the team appreciated it. It shows a lot about the respect women's basketball is getting."

By Ian Parker, PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA