I've made what seems like hundreds of trips to Thompson-Boling Arena, but Thursday night's game had a feeling like I'd never experienced.

You could see it on the faces of the fans, orange and red: an excited look as they sat and wondered if they would witness win No. 1,000 of Pat Summitt's historic career.

Acting as a professional journalist, restraining my excitement was like trying to hold still a paint can shaker.

"I think 1,000 victories, because nobody's ever done it in the men's game, that makes it even more monumental," said Tennessee fan Beverly Shirk.

Shirk told me she's been watching memorable games since the Lady Vols played in the old Stokely Athletic Center and that tonight won't be any less unforgettable.

"Against (Georgia head coach) Andy Landers, I think that's the perfect game for her to win it," Shirk said. "She's met him in the Final Four, in SEC Championships, she's had his number."

Wilmer Hickson, who has been an attendant at Thompson-Boling Arena for 14 years, is just as eager to share stories of watching Summitt through the years.

"Tonight's just been special, if she can get 1,000 wins it's a milestone that just may never be broken," Hickson said. "There have been some special ones, but this will be the most important win in Thompson-Boling."

Pre-Game:

With 2:45 until game time, Summitt enters the court as the crowd applauds feverishly. She passes two women dressed in Georgia red, who applaud as they wipe away their tears and take their seats on the team bench.

It's a good thing they brought their camera to capture this moment.

I feel a strange sympathy for the Georgia players. It's not like they can't win this game themselves, but the mood of the stadium just screams "1,000."

They know what's at stake, and this might be one of the toughest emotions they have to overcome as college athletes.

The stadium claps in unison until the first Lady Vols points are scored at 18:59.

Halftime:

Tennessee has mustered an eight point lead at the half, 32-24, but Georgia has made the Vols earn every point.

Georgia is shooting better at 47 percent, so predicting a victory at this point seems premature.

Summitt coolly struts back out onto the court, eyes glued to a game sheet, but doesn't fail to recognize the shy young girl who's holding her hand out.

She high-fives her, smiles and continues the business at the bench.

Final:

It was the Lady Vols who came roaring out of the gates in the second half, opening with a 9-2 run.

During timeout breaks, old pictures of Coach Summitt at work shuffle across the jumbo screens.

It seems the tech crew smells victory, as the crowd mesmerizes over flashbacks.

Coach Summitt's demeanor on the sideline remains intense. She doesn't seem to agree that this game is over.

Tennessee closes the game with a commanding 73-43 victory on a Sydney Smallbone three-pointer that makes the crowd noise reach levels it hasn't all night. 

Orange and white confetti rains while Summitt is doused with a Gatorade cooler full of confetti.

Post-Game and Presentation:

Not a soul exits the stadium as Coach Summitt is surrounded by cameramen, assistants and players as the celebration begins.

The announcers reveal that Pat Head Summitt will have the first star on the new Knoxville River Walk.

The head coach is even presented with a custom made bracelet commemorating 1,000 victories.

It's impossible to ignore the pride and excitement in the building, even as the presentation transitions into the radio show and post-game interviews.

Tonight has been an evening of reflection and celebration at a magnitude that might never repeat itself for any Tennessee coach again.

But we couldn't be any more fortunate as fans, journalists or simply people to witness another coach like Pat Summitt.

All embedded photo credits to (TNJN/Elkins, Kevin).