[pefloresjr]

I agree that bulletin board comments are generally overblown by the fans, but they can definitely add an extra layer of motivation for players and coaches as well.  This "slight" is very general and unrelated to a specific team, so I don't think it will have any impact on our performance in the tournament.  I know it will not take any of Tara's time or thoughts in preparing the team.  However, Tara is not above using the other team and their words as an extra factor for motivating and focusing the team.  After the conference tournament win over UCLA, she specifically noted that our team was "tough" and in the locker room she told the team that they carried "tough" around in their pockets.  One of the players also said that Tara told them they needed to avoid being the nice girls from Stanford.  Clearly, all of the pre-game focus on UCLA's toughness was an issue for Stanford, and I personally loved hearing those comments because I hate teams that play maul ball.  Stanford was aggressive in fighting for rebounds, loose balls, and interrupting passes on defense all without playing like the Detroit Pistons teams of the 80s as some described UCLA's style.  The toughness issue clearly gave our team good focus on doing what was needed to counter UCLA's style of play.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

I agree that bulletin board comments are generally overblown by the fans, but they can definitely add an extra layer of motivation for players and coaches as well.  This "slight" is very general and unrelated to a specific team, so I don't think it will have any impact on our performance in the tournament.  I know it will not take any of Tara's time or thoughts in preparing the team.  However, Tara is not above using the other team and their words as an extra factor for motivating and focusing the team.  After the conference tournament win over UCLA, she specifically noted that our team was "tough" and in the locker room she told the team that they carried "tough" around in their pockets.  One of the players also said that Tara told them they needed to avoid being the nice girls from Stanford.  Clearly, all of the pre-game focus on UCLA's toughness was an issue for Stanford, and I personally loved hearing those comments because I hate teams that play maul ball.  Stanford was aggressive in fighting for rebounds, loose balls, and interrupting passes on defense all without playing like the Detroit Pistons teams of the 80s as some described UCLA's style.  The toughness issue clearly gave our team good focus on doing what was needed to counter UCLA's style of play.  

Cheers,
Pete F.