Playing with intention????

[Icebear]

You have great fans but wanting to have the best player in WBB ejected so your team can win smacks of ... well ... Texas Tech. Dolson handed out just as much as she took last night but the problem is she is no match physically for Griner. You can't grab, pull and hack and then whine about it when you end up on the floor. The "2nd throw-down" as you call it came after Dolson was getting beat to the basket and grabbed Griner. Any objective observer could see that on the replay.

Not so we can win but because it was dangerous and hurt a player and potentially could have hurt her badly. Name one play where a UCONN player intentionally put a Baylor player at such risk. Griner demeaned herself and the sport. In addition every time she wind mills over the top of a defender should, also, be called for a foul. It is an illegal move.

 

[pauliewalnuts]

Amen.

I think BG should have been thrown out of the game for the 2nd throw-down. It was a major and intentional foul with risk of injury to the player.
Griner and Kim Mulkey should be ashamed of themselves. And the NCAA should be handing out some game suspensions.

The first haul down put Dolson at risk for a really serious head injury and a major concussion. It was the cheapest shot and dirtiest play I have seen in a long time. And the second pull down (no foul called?) was also a pre-meditated and dirty play.

The net result is that this olde coach has zero respect for Griner, now, and forever more. I thought she had learned a lesson from throwing a punch in her freshman year. Sadly, there was no sign of that learning tonight.

 

[pauliewalnuts]

Amen.

I think BG should have been thrown out of the game for the 2nd throw-down. It was a major and intentional foul with risk of injury to the player.
Griner and Kim Mulkey should be ashamed of themselves. And the NCAA should be handing out some game suspensions.

The first haul down put Dolson at risk for a really serious head injury and a major concussion. It was the cheapest shot and dirtiest play I have seen in a long time. And the second pull down (no foul called?) was also a pre-meditated and dirty play.

The net result is that this olde coach has zero respect for Griner, now, and forever more. I thought she had learned a lesson from throwing a punch in her freshman year. Sadly, there was no sign of that learning tonight.

This is what happens when a non physical team plays a physical team. Apparently, no one on Uconn got pumped up from the throwdown, only Baylor did. Geno should have put Stokes in and let her get physical, even if she fouled out. I am not saying to play dirty, but at least don't back down. No one covered Stef's back after the incident. Where's DIANA!!!!! This would not have been the final outcome, i guarantee you, if she was still playing for Geno. Where's are next Taurasi?

 

[LAKOTA]

View attachment 2336

It was physical both ways, it made me worry one of them would get injured.

Dolson falls too much for a girl over 215 pounds.

She leans on Griner to impose her weight...since muscle mass is not the kind she has to shove around.

She played just as physical as always... Reminded me of the notre dame game against braker

I think your dead Wrong. Griners right arm is at Dolson's Neck. Dolson has the right to defend her Head and neck from a hit from Griner. Griner was pushing Dolson out of bounds clearing the lane for the Baylor shot. Take an objective re-look. My nine year old was angry that Griner displayed such poor sportsmanship. She WAS a fan of Griner, But not anymore.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, I hears from the BU fan sitting next to me about the theory that Stef flopped. I was informed the entire UConn team flops.

Must have thought we were Duke. ;-)

 

[ghostmutt]

For those not in attendance, what was Geno's reaction to the second arm grab/take down/"infelicitous display of clumsiness"/what-have-you? The ESPN cameras didn't catch it. (Or I didn't...)

I expected apoplexy, hooting for an ejection, Chris restraining him, etc. But that would have drawn comment from Doris. Instead, the moment passed quickly with her wondering aloud why the refs let them "play on."

You can debate whether it merited tossing Griner out, but you can't debate that it was a foul. Maybe the refs didn't call another flagrant because they feared to be accused of swaying momentum. But to swallow the whistle there--after calling essentially the same move a Flagrant 1--simply confuses all the players (esp. the one on the receiving end of the foul) as to how hard they can play and what they can get away with.

To be frank, it's a move I can see Taurasi or Parker trying---once. Trying it twice in succession, knowing the possible consequence, makes me think that Griner is either not that mature (i.e., doesn't think about consequences) or is well-accustomed to seeing refs look the other way because her presence is so "important" to the game flow.

 

[easttexastrash]

My opinion.

The first foul was definitely a foul, but there was no intention to cause anyone harm. I have seen intentional fouls that were much worse than the foul itself, but unfortunately, Dolson is easily thrown off balance and thus she hit the floor, which, by the way, she does A LOT. That foul would not have had the same impact on a more athletic player.

The second incident was also a foul on Griner and IMO, had a retaliatory manner to it. Dolson is big and physical and pushes and shoves Griner a lot when they play. I suspect that if Griner had similar "balance" problems to Dolson's that she would have ended up on the floor also. BG is a bigger, more physical player than Dolson and thus the pounding she takes doesn't send her to the ground. And when BG exerts her will she is going to put some folks on the floor.

The biggest question is how will Dolson respond the next time that Baylor and UCONN play, which is no guarantee. Will she come out fired up or will she be intimidated?

 

[UConnCat]

The biggest question is how will Dolson respond the next time that Baylor and UCONN play, which is no guarantee. Will she come out fired up or will she be intimidated?

There was nothing in Dolson's demeanor at any point last night -- including the many minutes after the incident -- that even hinted at intimidation. I'm not sure why you would bring that up.

 

[Shenandoah]

My opinion.

The first foul was definitely a foul, but there was no intention to cause anyone harm. I have seen intentional fouls that were much worse than the foul itself, but unfortunately, Dolson is easily thrown off balance and thus she hit the floor, which, by the way, she does A LOT. That foul would not have had the same impact on a more athletic player.

The second incident was also a foul on Griner and IMO, had a retaliatory manner to it. Dolson is big and physical and pushes and shoves Griner a lot when they play. I suspect that if Griner had similar "balance" problems to Dolson's that she would have ended up on the floor also. BG is a bigger, more physical player than Dolson and thus the pounding she takes doesn't send her to the ground. And when BG exerts her will she is going to put some folks on the floor.

The biggest question is how will Dolson respond the next time that Baylor and UCONN play, which is no guarantee. Will she come out fired up or will she be intimidated?

Are you serious? No intention to cause harm? I've seen MMA throws that had less "intent"...Take the blinders off. griner should have been tossed. I guess that's why Geno is coach and not me. I would have sent someone out there to "foul" her back...No, it doesn't solve anything...except establish the fact that we won't be pushed around..especially on our home court...

 

[OneTrickPony]

Will she come out fired up or will she be intimidated?

If intimidation was Brittany's goal...I'd say she's going to come up short...

 

[snlMINAJ]

im surprised to see not one person mention geno's lack of attention re: griner

no issues with it, he has?

 

[wallman]

What the he k do you want Dolson to do Texas, she is boxing out, Griner raps her arm across her neck to fight through, still no call from the ref,they continue and Dolson goes down. The refs were chicken, it was right in front of them, the call should have been made before it even got that far. To blame Dolson is just ridiculous .

 

[UConnChapette]

It is simple...Stef needs to even the playing field next time. One "inadvertent" tug that brings Griner crashing to the floor. Then listen to the bear growls and howls about flagrant fouls. But Geno would NEVER keep his player who pulled such a stunt in the game. They would get some extended bench time. Geno feels there is a right way and a wrong way to play. Sadly some coaches care more about winning, no matter what it takes.

 

[pinotbear]

im surprised to see not one person mention geno's lack of attention re: griner

no issues with it, he has?

That's an assumption on your part, and a rather large one. Just because Geno hasn't gone public with his opinion - a la' CViv - doesn't mean there is a "lack of attention". Do you really think that somebody of his resume', and the Olympic team coach, has a "lack of attention", or "no issues with it" in such situations?

He misses very little, and, what he might, he catches on film. Your asssumption is, Geno has "no issues with it". My assumption is, whatever Geno thinks, he's sharing it with the established structure, and the "powers that be" - and, not with the "press-du-jour", and message boards. I further speculate, that, for BG's part, it may be a good thing that Geno isn't interested in coaching the next women's Olympic BB team. That's assuming that BG is interested, of course.

 

[UConnCat]

Geno was more focused on his team's play last night and rightly so. There are enough issues there that deserve his full attention.

 

[sarals24]

He knows. And the refs called a flagrant foul. I'm sure he will use it as fuel for next game. Why didn't someone step up and set a vicious screen on her? This team needs an enforcer.

 

[CCinCT]

He knows. And the refs called a flagrant foul. I'm sure he will use it as fuel for next game. Why didn't someone step up and set a vicious screen on her? This team needs an enforcer.

Where's BamBam ???

 

[Jonathan Husky]

Amen.

I think BG should have been thrown out of the game for the 2nd throw-down. It was a major and intentional foul with risk of injury to the player.
Griner and Kim Mulkey should be ashamed of themselves. And the NCAA should be handing out some game suspensions.

The first haul down put Dolson at risk for a really serious head injury and a major concussion. It was the cheapest shot and dirtiest play I have seen in a long time. And the second pull down (no foul called?) was also a pre-meditated and dirty play.

The net result is that this olde coach has zero respect for Griner, now, and forever more. I thought she had learned a lesson from throwing a punch in her freshman year. Sadly, there was no sign of that learning tonight.

Plus the official who didn't call the second intentional that took pplace right in front of her should be suspended for a few games.

 

[Icebear]

My opinion.

The first foul was definitely a foul, but there was no intention to cause anyone harm. I have seen intentional fouls that were much worse than the foul itself, but unfortunately, Dolson is easily thrown off balance and thus she hit the floor, which, by the way, she does A LOT. That foul would not have had the same impact on a more athletic player.

The second incident was also a foul on Griner and IMO, had a retaliatory manner to it. Dolson is big and physical and pushes and shoves Griner a lot when they play. I suspect that if Griner had similar "balance" problems to Dolson's that she would have ended up on the floor also. BG is a bigger, more physical player than Dolson and thus the pounding she takes doesn't send her to the ground. And when BG exerts her will she is going to put some folks on the floor.

The biggest question is how will Dolson respond the next time that Baylor and UCONN play, which is no guarantee. Will she come out fired up or will she be intimidated?

yada, yada, yada It isn't a balance problem when you are grabbed from behind or have your arm trapped and are leveraged to the ground. Stef doesn't fall easily she gives all out effort and that includes a willingness to sacrifice her body to achieve the team and her goals.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I doubt the young ladies want Geno fighting their battles...they'll have to deal with this in their own way, and I hope they go about it intelligently...

 

[OneTrickPony]

im surprised to see not one person mention geno's lack of attention re: griner

no issues with it, he has?

Yoda...that you...?

 

[UConnChapette]

yada, yada, yada It isn't a balance problem when you are grabbed from behind or have your arm trapped and are leveraged to the ground. Stef doesn't fall easily she gives all out effort and that includes a willingness to sacrifice her body to achieve the team and her goals.

Agree Ice. Not sure where the "Stef falls down a lot" comes from. I have watched her in every game and while all players hit the floor at times, I have never seen Stef hit the floor as many times, as far away from the basket, or as hard as she did last night. Tiffany Hayes fell down a lot, Kelly Faris falls down a lot, Mel Thomas fell down a lot. All due to their hustle and effort. For as much effort as Stef exerts in the lane, she is remarkably stable on her feet. Except when someone goes out of their way to put her on the floor.

brittany griner is extremely strong, deceptively so for her lanky frame. There was one play in the first half where Kelly was trying to body her up from behind but kept bouncing off of her like a pinball. It was a little comical. Of course, we had the lead at that point so I was in good humor then.

 

[UConnChapette]

Yoda...that you...?

Nah, if it was Yoda it would have been more like "issues with it he has not?"

 

[Icebear]

brittany griner is extremely strong, deceptively so for her lanky frame. There was one play in the first half where Kelly was trying to body her up from behind but kept bouncing off of her like a pinball. It was a little comical. Of course, we had the lead at that point so I was in good humor then.

And with her height she has leverage. We need to have cferraro give Stef some lessons in open hand combat.

 

[Blue Huskie]

My opinion:

Stefs balance is just fine. Griner is a dirty player. Always was and always will be.

She got the flagrant not Stef.
The only point of contention is "Should she have gotten the 2nd?"

My opinion:

Yes

 

[cohenzone]

It is simple...Stef needs to even the playing field next time. One "inadvertent" tug that brings Griner crashing to the floor. Then listen to the bear growls and howls about flagrant fouls. But Geno would NEVER keep his player who pulled such a stunt in the game. They would get some extended bench time. Geno feels there is a right way and a wrong way to play. Sadly some coaches care more about winning, no matter what it takes.

Yeah, and Stef will be ejected as these things go. I just hope we get a 2nd chance at them. Griner totally doesn't need to play that way. I hope we find a way to make sure nobody besides Griner scores much. If we get that 2nd chance, you don't suppose GA will whisper in the ear of the head of officials that the refs assigned to the game watch he film of the first game?