[Maple Leaf]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Vic sounds like he went to the same class that John MacKay of the usc-condoms attended titled "Stanford Appreciation".

Well, he did say "you have to tip your hats to them". And he didn't say he would like to beat us by 2000 points.

MacKay said it after condoms were accused of trying to run up the score late in the game, after losing 2 years in a row to Stanford.  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

[Maple Leaf]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Vic sounds like he went to the same class that John MacKay of the usc-condoms attended titled "Stanford Appreciation".

Well, he did say "you have to tip your hats to them". And he didn't say he would like to beat us by 2000 points.

MacKay said it after condoms were accused of trying to run up the score late in the game, after losing 2 years in a row to Stanford.  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

[martyup]

Apparently it was the electric slide is the easiest dance the team could think of for Tara, who is apparently not a dancer.  Line dancing is a southeast thing; in Texas, we have the two-step.

If we win the championship I would like to see the team bust out a Soul Train line dance.

[martyup]

Apparently it was the electric slide is the easiest dance the team could think of for Tara, who is apparently not a dancer.  Line dancing is a southeast thing; in Texas, we have the two-step.

If we win the championship I would like to see the team bust out a Soul Train line dance.

[JohnR34231]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Vic sounds like he went to the same class that John MacKay of the usc-condoms attended titled "Stanford Appreciation".

Well, he did say "you have to tip your hats to them". And he didn't say he would like to beat us by 2000 points.

MacKay said it after condoms were accused of trying to run up the score late in the game, after losing 2 years in a row to Stanford.  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

IIRC, what really ticked McKay off was one of the Stanford DB's telling a reporter "SC ain't shit. And you can print that," He only won by 9 points, so I don't think him trying to score again at the end of the game was running it up.

[JohnR34231]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Vic sounds like he went to the same class that John MacKay of the usc-condoms attended titled "Stanford Appreciation".

Well, he did say "you have to tip your hats to them". And he didn't say he would like to beat us by 2000 points.

MacKay said it after condoms were accused of trying to run up the score late in the game, after losing 2 years in a row to Stanford.  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

IIRC, what really ticked McKay off was one of the Stanford DB's telling a reporter "SC ain't shit. And you can print that," He only won by 9 points, so I don't think him trying to score again at the end of the game was running it up.

[treetop11]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I was not impressed. Even my wife commented on what bad sports the Texas coach and players were; nowhere near as gracious and sportsmanlike as Maryland. Of course Schaefer was nice to his players - big deal. It's showing respect and good will toward your opponent that demonstrates real class. And to Texas' style of play, it's not just aggressive pressure, it's the intentional physical banging and other physical play that is unnecessary and on the verge of being dirty. Again, my wife (who seldom watches games) commented to me afterward that the offensive foul on Lacie when she was dribbling down count seemed a bogus call (announcers said the same), yet shortly after, one of tthe Texas players after grabbing and fouling one of our players put out her foot to trip our player.

[treetop11]

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I was not impressed. Even my wife commented on what bad sports the Texas coach and players were; nowhere near as gracious and sportsmanlike as Maryland. Of course Schaefer was nice to his players - big deal. It's showing respect and good will toward your opponent that demonstrates real class. And to Texas' style of play, it's not just aggressive pressure, it's the intentional physical banging and other physical play that is unnecessary and on the verge of being dirty. Again, my wife (who seldom watches games) commented to me afterward that the offensive foul on Lacie when she was dribbling down count seemed a bogus call (announcers said the same), yet shortly after, one of tthe Texas players after grabbing and fouling one of our players put out her foot to trip our player.

[teejers1]

When you win your region in the NCAA's and continue onto the Final Four you celebrate and you don't shake the hands of the opposing team. It's been that way forever. Any trophy celebration victory you dog pile your team when the last whistle blows. 

The other teams knows it. Thats why the Stanford coaching staff went to shake the hands of the Texas players and a show of respect while the players celebrated.

I know that saying anything even remotely critical of Stanford - and particularly Stanford women's hoops - is taboo in these parts.
But, c'mon now (go to end of highlights).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTy6A3NLGN4

[teejers1]

When you win your region in the NCAA's and continue onto the Final Four you celebrate and you don't shake the hands of the opposing team. It's been that way forever. Any trophy celebration victory you dog pile your team when the last whistle blows. 

The other teams knows it. Thats why the Stanford coaching staff went to shake the hands of the Texas players and a show of respect while the players celebrated.

I know that saying anything even remotely critical of Stanford - and particularly Stanford women's hoops - is taboo in these parts.
But, c'mon now (go to end of highlights).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTy6A3NLGN4

[UltimateCard]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

[UltimateCard]

his press conference was supportive of his players but not at all gracious. Best he could say to congratulate us (as all coaches do to their opponents in praise when they start their opening statements) was that we made a few more plays than they did. His whole theme was that TX should have won (if it were not for the free throws missed) and that our 3 point shooting was terrible. In fact he kept repeating that if they had a rematch TX would win. Likes to hear himself talk. And spare me the comments about how the Big 12 is so great. SO glad we won!

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

[M T]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

Teejers, did you go back and see what Texas did at the end of the game that was their final win?  No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.


I think the Texas coach is a good salesman.  He gives the impression of truly believing in what he sells.   No doubt he can sell his approach to the young women on his team.
He talks of his team as a great defensive team. But notice he doesn't even allow the question as to whether Stanford is a better defensive team (Opponent scoring average:  Texas 56.8; Stanford 56.6) 
He touts how his team played such a tough schedule (WarrenNolan SOS: Stanford #1, Texas #12; RealTimeRPI: Stanford #2, Texas #24).
As for talking about another, immediate rematch, he knows that is just hot air.

By the way, Texas was fortunate that on the last foul against tOSU (when the score was 64-63) that the Texas player Harmon wasn't penalized (either a common foul or intentional foul) for striking out at and hitting the player trying to get a foul on her.   By the rules, that is a textbook example of excessive swinging and thus an intentional foul.  Furthermore, there should have been a bench technical called on the Texas coach.  In my book, the officials wimped out.

Art. 7. The following shall be considered not only excessive, but extreme, swinging:
a. When arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung about while using the shoulders as pivots, and the speed of the extended arm(s) and elbow(s) exceeds that of the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot; or
b. When the speed and vigor with which the arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung is such that injury could result if another player was contacted.
--
Art. 1. An intentional foul is a player-contact foul which, in the judgment of the official, is:
e. Excessive, hard and/or unnecessary contact against an opponent; and
f. Illegal contact caused by the swinging of an elbow that is deemed excessive or unnecessary.

Note that Harmon left arm starts bent parallel to her body (picture 1).  She extends her arm (blue arrow) and swings it so as to contact the face of the opponent (picture 2;).  She swings her forearm 180 degrees more than her body rotates, and thus at twice the rotational speed of her body.  Note that she rotates her body toward the opponent, opposite to the direction of contact by the opponent (so there can be no claim that it was the opponent who caused her to swing that way).  In picture 3, she has swung her forearm 360 degrees while rotating her body only 180 degrees.

Another view was shown but the speed of Harmon's had was so fast as it hit the opponent that it only shows as a blur.

Note that the coach's foot is on the court at the time, which is a violation.  I believe the yelling by the Texas coach at the tOSU player should have resulted in a bench technical.  (Perhaps he expected that and was just trying (successfully) from getting Harmon receiving an intentional or disqualifying foul by insinuating her flop was an excessive foul by the opponent.)

[M T]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

Teejers, did you go back and see what Texas did at the end of the game that was their final win?  No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.


I think the Texas coach is a good salesman.  He gives the impression of truly believing in what he sells.   No doubt he can sell his approach to the young women on his team.
He talks of his team as a great defensive team. But notice he doesn't even allow the question as to whether Stanford is a better defensive team (Opponent scoring average:  Texas 56.8; Stanford 56.6) 
He touts how his team played such a tough schedule (WarrenNolan SOS: Stanford #1, Texas #12; RealTimeRPI: Stanford #2, Texas #24).
As for talking about another, immediate rematch, he knows that is just hot air.

By the way, Texas was fortunate that on the last foul against tOSU (when the score was 64-63) that the Texas player Harmon wasn't penalized (either a common foul or intentional foul) for striking out at and hitting the player trying to get a foul on her.   By the rules, that is a textbook example of excessive swinging and thus an intentional foul.  Furthermore, there should have been a bench technical called on the Texas coach.  In my book, the officials wimped out.

Art. 7. The following shall be considered not only excessive, but extreme, swinging:
a. When arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung about while using the shoulders as pivots, and the speed of the extended arm(s) and elbow(s) exceeds that of the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot; or
b. When the speed and vigor with which the arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung is such that injury could result if another player was contacted.
--
Art. 1. An intentional foul is a player-contact foul which, in the judgment of the official, is:
e. Excessive, hard and/or unnecessary contact against an opponent; and
f. Illegal contact caused by the swinging of an elbow that is deemed excessive or unnecessary.

Note that Harmon left arm starts bent parallel to her body (picture 1).  She extends her arm (blue arrow) and swings it so as to contact the face of the opponent (picture 2;).  She swings her forearm 180 degrees more than her body rotates, and thus at twice the rotational speed of her body.  Note that she rotates her body toward the opponent, opposite to the direction of contact by the opponent (so there can be no claim that it was the opponent who caused her to swing that way).  In picture 3, she has swung her forearm 360 degrees while rotating her body only 180 degrees.

Another view was shown but the speed of Harmon's had was so fast as it hit the opponent that it only shows as a blur.

Note that the coach's foot is on the court at the time, which is a violation.  I believe the yelling by the Texas coach at the tOSU player should have resulted in a bench technical.  (Perhaps he expected that and was just trying (successfully) from getting Harmon receiving an intentional or disqualifying foul by insinuating her flop was an excessive foul by the opponent.)

[Softball Fan]

  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

And that will be no easy task without the Hull sisters.  But all the returning Stanford players will be better and some pretty good freshmen.

[Softball Fan]

  Let's see what Vic's response is should Stanford beat Texas in next year's tournament.

And that will be no easy task without the Hull sisters.  But all the returning Stanford players will be better and some pretty good freshmen.

[teejers1]

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

Pretty sure she did.

---

Apparently it was the electric slide is the easiest dance the team could think of for Tara, who is apparently not a dancer.  Line dancing is a southeast thing; in Texas, we have the two-step.

If we win the championship I would like to see the team bust out a Soul Train line dance.

Several players on Stanford's roster have "the game" to match the dancer on the left; matching the dancer on the right could be a problematic . . .

P.S. Great/hilarious clip.

[teejers1]

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

Pretty sure she did.

---

Apparently it was the electric slide is the easiest dance the team could think of for Tara, who is apparently not a dancer.  Line dancing is a southeast thing; in Texas, we have the two-step.

If we win the championship I would like to see the team bust out a Soul Train line dance.

Several players on Stanford's roster have "the game" to match the dancer on the left; matching the dancer on the right could be a problematic . . .

P.S. Great/hilarious clip.

[UltimateCard]

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

Pretty sure she did.

You’re right. I thought it odd the first time I watched but I just viewed it again and Tara does congratulate Texas right at the start. Must’ve cued it up wrong. My bad. (Not that there isn’t already enough to stoke the fire!)

[UltimateCard]

Interesting that in Tara’s opening statement in the post-game presser, she did NOT congratulate Texas as she customarily does with opponents. Seems like there is definitely some bad blood…

Pretty sure she did.

You’re right. I thought it odd the first time I watched but I just viewed it again and Tara does congratulate Texas right at the start. Must’ve cued it up wrong. My bad. (Not that there isn’t already enough to stoke the fire!)

[M T]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

[M T]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

[DaBears17]

Speaking of sportmanship, I wish ESPN was using this video as the highlight of Boston during the promos instead of just the one of her crying.

Haley Jones hugging Boston

[DaBears17]

Speaking of sportmanship, I wish ESPN was using this video as the highlight of Boston during the promos instead of just the one of her crying.

Haley Jones hugging Boston

[Spiny_Norman]

Was this Stanford's first win over a Vic Schaefer-coached team? It was very very satisfying.

[Spiny_Norman]

Was this Stanford's first win over a Vic Schaefer-coached team? It was very very satisfying.

[BosCard]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

Great series of pics.   This happened all game long.

[BosCard]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

Great series of pics.   This happened all game long.

[magnus]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Pretty sure that's incorrect, M T, as I too wondered why there wasn't a handshake line between the players.

From the TV feed, you saw Tara and Vic initially connect.  Then Tara and staff continued walking and there were shots of several Texas players, in a line, high fiving/shaking hands with the Stanford staff.  These shots were alternated with shots of the Stanford players mobbing each other on the floor (I think one of the angles included a shot from the corner of the Texas bench).  Eventually, there were shots of Texas players dejectedly returning to the locker room, while Stanford was still celebrating on the floor.

Unless the Stanford players somehow sprinted over to the line and then back in between mobbing scenes, I'm pretty sure there wasn't much of a player to player handshake line.  I could check my recording but I don't need to be 100% correct. =)

[magnus]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Pretty sure that's incorrect, M T, as I too wondered why there wasn't a handshake line between the players.

From the TV feed, you saw Tara and Vic initially connect.  Then Tara and staff continued walking and there were shots of several Texas players, in a line, high fiving/shaking hands with the Stanford staff.  These shots were alternated with shots of the Stanford players mobbing each other on the floor (I think one of the angles included a shot from the corner of the Texas bench).  Eventually, there were shots of Texas players dejectedly returning to the locker room, while Stanford was still celebrating on the floor.

Unless the Stanford players somehow sprinted over to the line and then back in between mobbing scenes, I'm pretty sure there wasn't much of a player to player handshake line.  I could check my recording but I don't need to be 100% correct. =)

[teejers1]

Speaking of sportmanship, I wish ESPN was using this video as the highlight of Boston during the promos instead of just the one of her crying.

Haley Jones hugging Boston

Agreed.  Great moment . . . the best of competitive sports.

[teejers1]

Speaking of sportmanship, I wish ESPN was using this video as the highlight of Boston during the promos instead of just the one of her crying.

Haley Jones hugging Boston

Agreed.  Great moment . . . the best of competitive sports.

[crackpot]

Maybe don't keep saying your team goal is to play defense in a way that makes the game ugly if you mind when others say they don't like it when games get ugly.  That's what it ultimately boils down to re:  Texas whining.  Tara's been saying the exact same quote for years and years in a general way, as she did the other day.  That Texas took it so personally shows that they know their style is a bit out of bounds at times.  Another team on my Ish List.

Exactly. 

I can't imagine in a million years Stanford's DOBO posting something like that.

And I do miss when Texas had teams that were enjoyable to watch.

---

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I have no idea if Vic Schaefer is a good guy or a bad guy, but I know that I don't like the way he coaches basketball.  Time after time last night his players were confused about a foul call against them.  Why should they be call for a foul? They were just doing what they had been taught!  I don't like the way he coaches because it increases the risk of injury, puts tremendous pressure on the officials, and makes a really ugly game to watch.  How can that be good for women's basketball?

I think it will be a couple of decades before I rid my head of the memory of Ibo elbowing Cam's ribs over and over (and no whistle).

[crackpot]

Maybe don't keep saying your team goal is to play defense in a way that makes the game ugly if you mind when others say they don't like it when games get ugly.  That's what it ultimately boils down to re:  Texas whining.  Tara's been saying the exact same quote for years and years in a general way, as she did the other day.  That Texas took it so personally shows that they know their style is a bit out of bounds at times.  Another team on my Ish List.

Exactly. 

I can't imagine in a million years Stanford's DOBO posting something like that.

And I do miss when Texas had teams that were enjoyable to watch.

---

Re Vic Schaefer, I too was impressed with him after game, based on his press conference. He clearly felt for his players, respects them, cares about them as people, and their effort, and was positive about all they'd achieved. Also very emotional, not just because of a loss, but because of what it meant for the players.

---

speaking of coaches, i've changed my mind about vic schaefer. i was quite impressed with how kind he was to joanne allen-taylor when she fouled out. texas wasn't that far behind, so he could have put all his attention on scheming to catch up or even have been annoyed at her

Agreed - though this tweet from his assistant feels like a less than classy response to a pretty benign comment from Tara: 
https://twitter.com/Blair__Schaefer/stat...5510308865

Actually, I think the Texas coach may not have seen this as a "benign" comment, instead as a critical, negative, comment re the way Texas plays. Whether or not you agree with that interpretation of Tara's words, it's easy to see it way from the Texas perspective.

I have no idea if Vic Schaefer is a good guy or a bad guy, but I know that I don't like the way he coaches basketball.  Time after time last night his players were confused about a foul call against them.  Why should they be call for a foul? They were just doing what they had been taught!  I don't like the way he coaches because it increases the risk of injury, puts tremendous pressure on the officials, and makes a really ugly game to watch.  How can that be good for women's basketball?

I think it will be a couple of decades before I rid my head of the memory of Ibo elbowing Cam's ribs over and over (and no whistle).

[M T]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Pretty sure that's incorrect, M T, as I too wondered why there wasn't a handshake line between the players.
<Comments about the Texas-Stanford end of game>

I actually wrote this, not the shortened version above.  As you see, I am talking about their final win (vs OSU), not their loss.

....
Teejers, did you go back and see what Texas did at the end of the game that was their final win?  No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Texas players celebrated at the end of the Ohio State game.  My recording has no indication of Texas participating in a handshake line when they won that game. The feed lasts long enough for the OSU players to be shown heading off court.

[M T]

And if you're looking for criticism of sportsmanship, how about Stanford players NOT getting into post-game handshake line?  That did disappoint me.  You can celebrate at half-court (or celebrate again) after you go through the line.  No need to blow off the handshake line (and that's what looked like happened from the TV feed).

No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Pretty sure that's incorrect, M T, as I too wondered why there wasn't a handshake line between the players.
<Comments about the Texas-Stanford end of game>

I actually wrote this, not the shortened version above.  As you see, I am talking about their final win (vs OSU), not their loss.

....
Teejers, did you go back and see what Texas did at the end of the game that was their final win?  No, they didn't do a handshake line then either.

Texas players celebrated at the end of the Ohio State game.  My recording has no indication of Texas participating in a handshake line when they won that game. The feed lasts long enough for the OSU players to be shown heading off court.

[BillBradley]

My favorite thing about this game was how we won, how our players felt about how we won, and how they (and the press) have talked about it afterwards. This win was all about grit. The Stanford players matched the Texas level of aggressiveness, didn't back down, and in the end their superior talent, skill, and teamwork won out because we didn't lose the physical battle. This definitely wasn't a "Stanford nice" win. Oh, and we covered :>

I don't have much of an opinion about Vic Shaefer the person. I just don't think I have all the information to really know what he's like. I know some truly great basketball people with big hearts, but they say stupid things sometimes. I just don't hold it against them. My gauge of "classy or not" is all about how coaches treat players and how players react to their coaches. He seems like he has good relationships with his players, so that's good enough for me. And he's proven to me that he can really coach. I love how he utilizes Harman and their small guards and how they are able to compete with a very average frontcourt. The dude very much knows what he's doing. What he was able to accomplish at Miss St was pretty remarkable IMO. I'm also cool with their style of play and their defensive aggressiveness. I used to take stuff like that personally, especially on the court and as a coach. I wanted more of an organized game and for it to be played a certain way. But I've changed. I now accept that physicality is part of the game, it can be an effective strategy, and the knife cuts both ways. If you aren't refined enough at the defense/intimidation piece, you can foul too much and the other team can live on the free throw line. Or, your offense can really suffer if the players don't learn to play on both sides of the ball.  But they executed pretty well offensively, hit some really nice mid-rangers and they made more threes than we did so they aren't just maulers. 

Gotta mention the reffing. Once again, I thought the game was over-called and it really hurt both teams and could have decided the game. So many calls I wish they would have just let go. A couple obvious ones on us were the offensive fouls on Lacie and Cam and there were for sure some on Texas I would have let go. The one that's still a head-scratcher for me was the call on Harmon against Haley, 1 minute left, 4 point game, 8 seconds on the shot clock. What was the call? A hand check? The ref pointed at the spot, but I can't quite make out her signal. Someone please look at the video and tell me what happened there. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVTap3QSS6A

I mean, that was a pretty critical moment. If she deserved the foul then fine, it was hard to see so I really don't know. But if the ref actually called a hand check after all the contact they let go during the game, I'm not sure how you make that call at that point in time. That was brobdingnagian.

[BillBradley]

My favorite thing about this game was how we won, how our players felt about how we won, and how they (and the press) have talked about it afterwards. This win was all about grit. The Stanford players matched the Texas level of aggressiveness, didn't back down, and in the end their superior talent, skill, and teamwork won out because we didn't lose the physical battle. This definitely wasn't a "Stanford nice" win. Oh, and we covered :>

I don't have much of an opinion about Vic Shaefer the person. I just don't think I have all the information to really know what he's like. I know some truly great basketball people with big hearts, but they say stupid things sometimes. I just don't hold it against them. My gauge of "classy or not" is all about how coaches treat players and how players react to their coaches. He seems like he has good relationships with his players, so that's good enough for me. And he's proven to me that he can really coach. I love how he utilizes Harman and their small guards and how they are able to compete with a very average frontcourt. The dude very much knows what he's doing. What he was able to accomplish at Miss St was pretty remarkable IMO. I'm also cool with their style of play and their defensive aggressiveness. I used to take stuff like that personally, especially on the court and as a coach. I wanted more of an organized game and for it to be played a certain way. But I've changed. I now accept that physicality is part of the game, it can be an effective strategy, and the knife cuts both ways. If you aren't refined enough at the defense/intimidation piece, you can foul too much and the other team can live on the free throw line. Or, your offense can really suffer if the players don't learn to play on both sides of the ball.  But they executed pretty well offensively, hit some really nice mid-rangers and they made more threes than we did so they aren't just maulers. 

Gotta mention the reffing. Once again, I thought the game was over-called and it really hurt both teams and could have decided the game. So many calls I wish they would have just let go. A couple obvious ones on us were the offensive fouls on Lacie and Cam and there were for sure some on Texas I would have let go. The one that's still a head-scratcher for me was the call on Harmon against Haley, 1 minute left, 4 point game, 8 seconds on the shot clock. What was the call? A hand check? The ref pointed at the spot, but I can't quite make out her signal. Someone please look at the video and tell me what happened there. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVTap3QSS6A

I mean, that was a pretty critical moment. If she deserved the foul then fine, it was hard to see so I really don't know. But if the ref actually called a hand check after all the contact they let go during the game, I'm not sure how you make that call at that point in time. That was brobdingnagian.

[Maple Leaf]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

Great series of pics.   This happened all game long.

Reminds me of the mauling that Kate Starbird took in a final four game, at one moment Kate was running the baseline under the basket and the next moment she was in the stands!

[Maple Leaf]

Another example of Vic Shaefer style defense.  This was around 1:50 in Q1.  #21 fouls Lacie multiple times over a few seconds.
She does a two-handed shove to force Lacie out of bounds, then sticks her bottom out to block her out (which is rarely called), and then when Lacie breaks in front of her, she grabs Lacie's arm and pulls it up and right to cause Lacie to lose her balance.

No call.

Great series of pics.   This happened all game long.

Reminds me of the mauling that Kate Starbird took in a final four game, at one moment Kate was running the baseline under the basket and the next moment she was in the stands!