[jonnyss]

The most she'll say is "X has to decide if she's committed/wants to play basketball/etc."

Arguably questioning a players commitment is the harshest criticism that one could level an athlete.  I think Tara uses it very sparingly, and usually in context (like, I remember her saying something broadly to the effect with regard to Kristin Folkl's volleyball playing when asked why she wasn't starting).

BC

 Correct.  After Washington beat us twice to knock us out of the Pac 12 and the NCAA tournies in spring of 2016, Tara gave a press conference in which she commented on ways each of her players could improve. 

https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/art...216231.php

She wants Thompson to pass more. “We need her to be unselfish and have a better turnover-to-assist ratio.” ... Kailee Johnson “has to make a decision about her relationship with basketball. She’s fairly skilled and very smart, but how important is basketball to Kailee? I think she could be a lot better.”

At the time I read those remarks I though Tara had come close to stepping over the line--those sound like things to be said privately, not publicly.

Lili and Kailee both left the team after Tara made those remarks--heading in to their senior years.  As I recall Kailee graduated two quarters early and headed into real estate.  Lili graduated on time and transferred to Notre Dame.

that makes it sound like tara singled out lili and kailee and drove them away.  to be fair, she offered a tough assessment of what all the players could improve - for example, that alanna smith "has a big, strong body...but has to improve her skills." and none of the other players left the program.

[jonnyss]

The most she'll say is "X has to decide if she's committed/wants to play basketball/etc."

Arguably questioning a players commitment is the harshest criticism that one could level an athlete.  I think Tara uses it very sparingly, and usually in context (like, I remember her saying something broadly to the effect with regard to Kristin Folkl's volleyball playing when asked why she wasn't starting).

BC

 Correct.  After Washington beat us twice to knock us out of the Pac 12 and the NCAA tournies in spring of 2016, Tara gave a press conference in which she commented on ways each of her players could improve. 

https://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/art...216231.php

She wants Thompson to pass more. “We need her to be unselfish and have a better turnover-to-assist ratio.” ... Kailee Johnson “has to make a decision about her relationship with basketball. She’s fairly skilled and very smart, but how important is basketball to Kailee? I think she could be a lot better.”

At the time I read those remarks I though Tara had come close to stepping over the line--those sound like things to be said privately, not publicly.

Lili and Kailee both left the team after Tara made those remarks--heading in to their senior years.  As I recall Kailee graduated two quarters early and headed into real estate.  Lili graduated on time and transferred to Notre Dame.

that makes it sound like tara singled out lili and kailee and drove them away.  to be fair, she offered a tough assessment of what all the players could improve - for example, that alanna smith "has a big, strong body...but has to improve her skills." and none of the other players left the program.