 The 1997 – 98 Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team , coached by Pat Summitt , is considered to be one of the greatest teams in the history of U.S. women 's college basketball , going 39 – 0 , and winning their third consecutive national championship , while playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation . The Lady Vols started off the season ranked number one in the nation , a ranking that would not change . ESPN called it one of the top ten moments in women 's sports of the 20th century . After the season , Summitt authored a book about the season , entitled " Raise the Roof " . 
