[81alum]

I think the whole conversation about Tara pulling players too quickly when they foul, as if this is some kind of punishment for the player, is completely off base.

It is my understanding that Tara pulls players after they foul not to "punish" them for fouling or even to teach them how not to foul (although that might be a side benefit) but because statistically it is far more likely that they will pick up a second foul quickly if left in.  Once a ref starts watching a particular player, they often call two fouls in a row.  Taking the player out--even if only for a short time--breaks that ref's immediate attention to that player.

The players must know this.  It is in their own interest to come out of the game after each foul to stop the refs watching them too carefully.

This is just another example of what Tara knows that most fans do not.  She was deeply into analytics before that became a word in basketball.

[81alum]

I think the whole conversation about Tara pulling players too quickly when they foul, as if this is some kind of punishment for the player, is completely off base.

It is my understanding that Tara pulls players after they foul not to "punish" them for fouling or even to teach them how not to foul (although that might be a side benefit) but because statistically it is far more likely that they will pick up a second foul quickly if left in.  Once a ref starts watching a particular player, they often call two fouls in a row.  Taking the player out--even if only for a short time--breaks that ref's immediate attention to that player.

The players must know this.  It is in their own interest to come out of the game after each foul to stop the refs watching them too carefully.

This is just another example of what Tara knows that most fans do not.  She was deeply into analytics before that became a word in basketball.