[2006alum]

I share your sadness and concern, particularly heading into tomorrow's game. This observation is more anecdotal than data-driven, but JR Payne's buffs have struck me in the past as an unpleasantly physical team that resorts to defensive excess when clearly outmatched. In the last couple of seasons, CU games at Maples have been slugfests (I recall a particularly ugly senior night, I think the year McPhee and others graduated) where I was just happy when our players made it out in one piece with the W. We can't ever afford that, but especially not this year. Here's hoping for competent, judicious refs tomorrow!

100% agree. I was at that game too and I remember thinking it was a slow-motion, 40-minute mugging. As crazy as it is to say, this would be a game where Missy Barlow-style reffing would help us way more than hurt us, because I totally agree that Payne's MO is to inflict pain when she knows her team is totally outmatched in terms of talent and skill.

ETA: Interestingly, I just looked it up, and Barlow actually had the whistle for that game, and Stanford went to the line for 35 FTs (making 19) vs. the Buffs, who went a mere 7-12. Clearly even tight reffing wasn't keeping them in line, and if they have a deep bench, they can afford to distribute a lot of fouls. The Buffs actually outscored us in made baskets that game, but they were fouling us so much we beat them at the line.

[2006alum]

I share your sadness and concern, particularly heading into tomorrow's game. This observation is more anecdotal than data-driven, but JR Payne's buffs have struck me in the past as an unpleasantly physical team that resorts to defensive excess when clearly outmatched. In the last couple of seasons, CU games at Maples have been slugfests (I recall a particularly ugly senior night, I think the year McPhee and others graduated) where I was just happy when our players made it out in one piece with the W. We can't ever afford that, but especially not this year. Here's hoping for competent, judicious refs tomorrow!

100% agree. I was at that game too and I remember thinking it was a slow-motion, 40-minute mugging. As crazy as it is to say, this would be a game where Missy Barlow-style reffing would help us way more than hurt us, because I totally agree that Payne's MO is to inflict pain when she knows her team is totally outmatched in terms of talent and skill.

ETA: Interestingly, I just looked it up, and Barlow actually had the whistle for that game, and Stanford went to the line for 35 FTs (making 19) vs. the Buffs, who went a mere 7-12. Clearly even tight reffing wasn't keeping them in line, and if they have a deep bench, they can afford to distribute a lot of fouls. The Buffs actually outscored us in made baskets that game, but they were fouling us so much we beat them at the line.