Sally Jenkins Wash Post Column

[vtcwbuff]

Did Doty even make contact? I thought the Ville player just sold it. I couldn't tell when from my so comfortable reclined position on the couch.

I didn't think there was contact until Doty came over and apologised. Why would she do that if she had not hit Smith? However, on slo mo it was obvious that there was contact. It probably depends on your definition of the word writhing but she certainly looked to be in some pain while she was on the floor.

Smith was defending and Doty turned, elbows out, while raising her arms above the opponents shoulders. I don't in any way think it was an intentional "thrown elbow" it appears that she was simply raising the ball to pass to Stewart or to get around Smith. It was ruled a flagrant not because of intent but because of the inherent danger presented by an elbow to the head.

 

[freescooter]

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Louisville. That was my thought on the play.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah, I'm not so sure. It looked entirely inadvertant to me.

I'm sure it did. Like I said, she is savvy.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I was at the far end of the arena, but I thought it was an act too. Does anyone mention that it was a no-call in real time?

Milford - When you get a chance watch the replay. It was a no call because none of the refs saw the foul committed. They are all visible on screen and they were all watching the play unfold after the pass was made. Mattingly probably had the best view of the play but she turned to watch the ball. I don't think anyone but Walz realized that Smith was on the floor and even he turned to watch the play.

I don't believe it was an act - But even if it was, Smith got smacked in the face with an elbow.

Whenever I see a play like this I try to take a deep breath and try to see the play as if the teams were reversed. Had it been a UConn player that got hit like that we all would have been screaming about it.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Welcome to the Big Leagues, Louisville. That was my thought on the play.

Not intentional, maybe semi-intentional, and contact in the course of normal space clearing action. Louisville's only real chance was to play harrassing close-up defense like they did with Baylor and then hope that the Huskies would be rattled and their play would be disrupted. Smith hits the floor, and it seemed to me that a lot of steam went out of the aggressiveness of the Cards D. They still got plenty of steals with quick hands, but the Huskies were open, and it is no coincidence that UConn went immediately on a 19-0 run. Maybe if Griner had "oops, sorry" laid out a defender early in the Sweet 16 game, it would have been a different match up in the NC. Subconsciously, you don't want to get that close to a Husky ball handler when you're thinking about your face being cratered.

 

[terif831]

When the notoriously blunt and hard-mouthed Auriemma went at her in the locker room, she would lift her large brown bird eyes to the ceiling, trying to control her tears.

Large brown bird eyes? Really? Sounds like a novel that would have Fabio on the cover.

This was my impression exactly! Harlequin much?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Milford - When you get a chance watch the replay. It was a no call because none of the refs saw the foul committed. They are all visible on screen and they were all watching the play unfold after the pass was made. Mattingly probably had the best view of the play but she turned to watch the ball. I don't think anyone but Walz realized that Smith was on the floor and even he turned to watch the play.

I don't believe it was an act - But even if it was, Smith got smacked in the face with an elbow.

Whenever I see a play like this I try to take a deep breath and try to see the play as if the teams were reversed. Had it been a UConn player that got hit like that we all would have been screaming about it.

Thanks. From my angle and distance in the arena, I wasn't sure. I didn't see CD check on her, but if she did, that clearly suggests contact. I though Smith was in her space.

 

[UcMiami]

No question there was contact and the CD apologized after the play. I did not see it as intentional in anyway beyond CD trying to clear some space and I certainly do not believe she had any intention of connecting with another players head.
As far as the call - the ref's have only two choices when elbow makes contact with head or neck - F1 and F2 with F2 including intent - they made the right call flagrant 1.

 

[Sargassoc]

The phrase, "threw a fragrant elbow to the face of Bria Smith" denotes intention.

Intention? Naw. It denotes smell!

 

[uconnfan68]

I didn't think there was contact until Doty came over and apologised. Why would she do that if she had not hit Smith? However, on slo mo it was obvious that there was contact. It probably depends on your definition of the word writhing but she certainly looked to be in some pain while she was on the floor.

Smith was defending and Doty turned, elbows out, while raising her arms above the opponents shoulders. I don't in any way think it was an intentional "thrown elbow" it appears that she was simply raising the ball to pass to Stewart or to get around Smith. It was ruled a flagrant not because of intent but because of the inherent danger presented by an elbow to the head.

Maybe the stupidest rule in basketball. I hope they see fit to protect the person WITH the ball as much as the defenders.

 

[Vowelguy]

Good article.
The Doty comment refers directly back to her opening line, providing context for her lead.

 

[Kait14]

Can someone explain how that was even allowed to be looked at? I have NEVER heard of a coach being able to tell a refs to look at something that wasn't even called during play. I was fuming at the fact that that happened, along with the elbow rule being absolutely RIDICULOUS because it takes every advantage the offensive player should have to make space away. And if they try to make space it's basically an automatic foul on them. I have a feeling it, along with block/charge, will definitely be looked at in the offseason. But does anyone know the full extent of why he was able to ask the refs to look at it?

 

[housekeys]

Maybe the stupidest rule in basketball. I hope they see fit to protect the person WITH the ball as much as the defenders.

Excellent point and I agree 100%.

The player did not get hit. At most it was a graze. Also the player did not "sell" it. That kind of reaction by Smith, is necessary to avoid getting hit. It is like that in baseball. At second base, players slide at the base all the time and SS/2B all jump out of the way and often fall due to the jump, not because of any vicious contact. As many have noted the elbowing rule needs to be re-examined.

Final comment on Doty. Many of us will remember her for her tenacious, enforcer like impact, which is good and one of her great attributes. Personally, I like to think of her prior to her injuries, when you could see her gifted "basketball skills". She has a great shot that rivals anyone's, and great leadership and point guard skills. Too bad those skills could never be showcased because of her injury. She was/is a true basketball talent.

 

[CL82]

Excellent point and I agree 100%.

The player did not get hit. At most it was a graze. Also the player did not "sell" it. That kind of reaction by Smith, is necessary to avoid getting hit. It is like that in baseball. At second base, players slide at the base all the time and SS/2B all jump out of the way and often fall due to the jump, not because of any vicious contact. As many have noted the elbowing rule needs to be re-examined.

Final comment on Doty. Many of us will remember her for her tenacious, enforcer like impact, which is good and one of her great attributes. Personally, I like to think of her prior to her injuries, when you could see her gifted "basketball skills". She has a great shot that rivals anyone's, and great leadership and point guard skills. Too bad those skills could never be showcased because of her injury. She was/is a true basketball talent.

You know you never know why things happen and if it was in my power, I'd love to give Caroline a 100% healthy career. I do think that sometimes 'fate lends a hand' in putting us on the path we need to be. Good things are in store for Caroline, of that I have no doubt.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Why is it that whenever a UConn player smacks somebody its never a foul but if a UConn player gets hit the other team is playing "thugball."

A player has the right to clear space. That can even be done with the elbows. Tina Charles was great at it. But they don't have the right to elbow another player in the face in the act of clearing space.

 

[freescooter]

Great players and great teams know how to intimidate lesser ones and they do it. I can't say whether it was intentional or not but I wouldn't be shocked if there was at least some intent and some desire to make it real clear that this is the big time. You want to win you have to beat us. We're not giving you an inch.

 

[bellairehusky]

No one has mentioned the poor editing done on the piece yet. First sentence, second paragraph "U-Conn. does things different — and better — on a consistent basis than every other team in the country." Really? Numerous other obvious examples of poor grammar I can point to.

I wouldn't say anything if it were a message board post, but a published Wash. Post piece should be better vetted.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Can someone explain how that was even allowed to be looked at? I have NEVER heard of a coach being able to tell a refs to look at something that wasn't even called during play. I was fuming at the fact that that happened, along with the elbow rule being absolutely RIDICULOUS because it takes every advantage the offensive player should have to make space away. And if they try to make space it's basically an automatic foul on them. I have a feeling it, along with block/charge, will definitely be looked at in the offseason. But does anyone know the full extent of why he was able to ask the refs to look at it?

My understanding of the rule is that a coach can make an appeal for the review of a flagrant foul. I'm not clear if a foul has to be called by an official before the coach can appeal.

 

[Fiftyish]

Maybe this will help clarify if there was contact.

 

[Drumguy]

Good article.
The Doty comment refers directly back to her opening line, providing context for her lead.

+1. It was a journalistic phrase more than a dig at CD. I thought it was a great article and meant only in the best sense. As in we're down 14-10 and the act was a spur to our 19 point run. Overall I enjoyed it and while I hate the flagrant rule there was contact - CD went over to check on her after.

 

[vtcwbuff]

View attachment 2710
Maybe this will help clarify if there was contact.

Smith has awesome muscle control. Its amazing how she could mush her face like that even though Doty barely grazed her.

 

[uconnfan68]

View attachment 2710
Maybe this will help clarify if there was contact.

Exactly what I thought... Smith ran into Doty's arm, not elbow... she was TOO CLOSE to be hit by an elbow.

 

[storrsroars]

No one has mentioned the poor editing done on the piece yet. First sentence, second paragraph "U-Conn. does things different — and better — on a consistent basis than every other team in the country." Really? Numerous other obvious examples of poor grammar I can point to.

I wouldn't say anything if it were a message board post, but a published Wash. Post piece should be better vetted.

Yeah, the whole "U-Conn." thing... is Jenkins using a stylebook from the 1820s? It's silly stuff like this that necessitates UConn (one un-hyphenated word, two caps, no period) as the brand.

And yeah, if the refs see that in real time they're going to call it immediately. I won't even say the recipient sold it. It was a legitimate hard elbow through aggressive clearing of space. But a foul nonetheless according to the rules.

 

[Phil]

Yeah, the whole "U-Conn." thing... is Jenkins using a stylebook from the 1820s? It's silly stuff like this that necessitates UConn (one un-hyphenated word, two caps, no period) as the brand.

And yeah, if the refs see that in real time they're going to call it immediately. I won't even say the recipient sold it. It was a legitimate hard elbow through aggressive clearing of space. But a foul nonetheless according to the rules.

I thought the concern was about "different" rather than "differently", but even that doesn't clean it up.

 

[Santini35]

My understanding of the rule is that a coach can make an appeal for the review of a flagrant foul. I'm not clear if a foul has to be called by an official before the coach can appeal.

There doesn't need to be a foul, heck they can review the play 40 seconds later in game action. UConn Men were called for this exact thing at least twice during the season. When Enosch Wolf got called for it, the guy was behind him, and he had no idea he was there, they didn't even call anything till after he passed the ball away, was running up the court and the guy he hit shoved him in "retaliation", which is what the ref actually saw in real time and they went back to see why the guy would have retaliated. It's a "Point of Emphasis" this year that has been emphasized entirely too much.