The trap! Auriemma's opinion

[Centerstream]

Having watched the game in person last night and then re-watched it via DVR, let me offer a hypothesis about how the trap on Kyla came to be.

First of all, let me say that I'm pretty sure that it didn't happen because Coach A said to her team with less than a minute left, "I see that #25 is coming into the game. She can't handle the ball. Trap her aggressively." I'm sure her last minute instructions were something on the order of "Forget the score. Play like it's the first minute of the game and the score is 0-0. That's what we do here."

Let me also guess that, like most good teams, UCF had prepared a scouting report before the game that covered each of the UConn players' games, with an emphasis on weaknesses that could be exploited. For the bench, it would have been a sentence or two, such as maybe this:

#4 -- "Has no jump shot, but can move. Sag off of her."

#10 -- "Gets flustered when she makes decisions with the ball. Trap her aggressively, and don't let her get open for a 3."

#25 -- "Not used to handling the ball. When she gets it, trap aggressively."

#32 -- "Foul prone. Go right at her under the basket."

So, when her own bench players got in at the end of the game, they did what they assumed their coach would want -- they followed the scout and trapped #25. If they didn't, they figured the coach would yell at them, just as Geno would have.

There was nothing at the end of the scout that said, "But of course, if there is only a minute left and the game has been decided, don't do any of these things." And I find it understandable that Coach A would not have thought to say that.

And on a related subject, I am completely unable to understand why anyone would think that it is bad sportsmanship for players on the bench to cheer when their team does something good, regardless of the score. That's what bench players are supposed to do -- cf. Geno in the famous video clip, endlessly cited here, about how bench players that are uninvolved in the game will never play -- EVER!!!

Very good points but I also want to think that when my team is down 20+ points, and we have been out of the game since the 3rd quarter and there is less than a minute left in the game, then let's just end this thing and get out of here. There will be a next time.
In the previous 2 beatdowns this season, did UCF behave in the same manner???

 

[cabbie191]

I'll ask again. What was the point of trapping players like Bent and Irwin in the final seconds of a blowout after not doing so the entire game? The issue is not the voracity with which UCF was playing.

I understand your perspective, but I also think you can turn it 180 degrees and ask: What's the point in having Dangerfield diving after a loose ball on the floor when the team is up by almost 30 points?

On our side, it's rhetorical - UConn players are taught to hustle all the time, regardless of the situation.

I didn't pick up on who the UCF players were that employed the trap. Maybe they were those who play significant minutes throughout the year, and maybe they were kids off the deep end of the bench who rarely see the court and who wanted to play as hard as they could in the few seconds they had.

And honestly, while we don't expect to see much playing time for Bent and Irwin during the rest of the season, I hope they will have had enough experience in practice and through the little game time they've had to be able to handle this type of pressure should the need arise for them to see significant playing time because of injury or foul trouble on our guys.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I didn't pick up on who the UCF players were that employed the trap. Maybe they were those who play significant minutes throughout the year, and maybe they were kids off the deep end of the bench who rarely see the court and who wanted to play as hard as they could in the few seconds they had.

And honestly, while we don't expect to see much playing time for Bent and Irwin during the rest of the season, I hope they will have had enough experience in practice and through the little game time they've had to be able to handle this type of pressure should the need arise for them to see significant playing time because of injury or foul trouble on our guys.

Highly unlikely it was a spontaneous trap. There was a substitution TO just before that. They had a chance to set what they wanted to do, and as soon as the ball went to Irwin near the sideline they attacked like pitbulls.

Also, there is zero chance Irwin or Bent see significant time in any kind of close game from here on out. Had Irwin been expecting it---had USF been trapping consistently---she might've been able to adjust. But it was lambs to the wolves there. Why do that to kids who are getting a tiny bit of floor time at the end of a blowout?

 

[vtcwbuff]

I think the trap probably was spontaneous. But boo on the coach that had not taught her players that it was the wrong thing to do at that point in the game.

 

[Husky fanatic]

My understanding is that he made his feelings known to the UCF coach in the handshake line. It was obvious that he was not pleased and he let her know it.

In reading lips I believe he said “ unf-x-ing believable “ and then said it again as he shook her hand

 

[BroadwayVa]

Having watched the game in person last night and then re-watched it via DVR, let me offer a hypothesis about how the trap on Kyla came to be.

First of all, let me say that I'm pretty sure that it didn't happen because Coach A said to her team with less than a minute left, "I see that #25 is coming into the game. She can't handle the ball. Trap her aggressively." I'm sure her last minute instructions were something on the order of "Forget the score. Play like it's the first minute of the game and the score is 0-0. That's what we do here."

Let me also guess that, like most good teams, UCF had prepared a scouting report before the game that covered each of the UConn players' games, with an emphasis on weaknesses that could be exploited. For the bench, it would have been a sentence or two, such as maybe this:

#4 -- "Has no jump shot, but can move. Sag off of her."

#10 -- "Gets flustered when she makes decisions with the ball. Trap her aggressively, and don't let her get open for a 3."

#25 -- "Not used to handling the ball. When she gets it, trap aggressively."

#32 -- "Foul prone. Go right at her under the basket."

So, when her own bench players got in at the end of the game, they did what they assumed their coach would want -- they followed the scout and trapped #25. If they didn't, they figured the coach would yell at them, just as Geno would have.

There was nothing at the end of the scout that said, "But of course, if there is only a minute left and the game has been decided, don't do any of these things." And I find it understandable that Coach A would not have thought to say that.

And on a related subject, I am completely unable to understand why anyone would think that it is bad sportsmanship for players on the bench to cheer when their team does something good, regardless of the score. That's what bench players are supposed to do -- cf. Geno in the famous video clip, endlessly cited here, about how bench players that are uninvolved in the game will never play -- EVER!!!

I was in near agreement with every thing except your last paragraph. I like that you don't know, neither do I, what Ucf coach told or didn't tell her team in the closing minute. As another poster suggested it could have been spontaneous ie just happened in the moment.
Since no one on this board knows for sure the higher road is always the best to be traveled.
Thanks . Geno wants his teams always involved every minutes. They cheer their team: Christine and Geno would have hissy fits should they diss a player from the opponents.
You point are well taken, again I appreciate a higher walked road, thanks.

 

[OldAlum]

I think the trapping at the end was more of a last straw for Geno. And, of course, it was more than a trap - it was fouling. UCF plays physical and perhaps "chippy" and the refs let a fair bit of it go on. Geno already didnt care for the style of play and he (incorrectly) thought that sending in the subs would result in a polite playing out of a game whose outcome was decided.

I did find the UCF bench celebrations while they were losing big rather bizarre. (Didnt see any taunting etc on tv) I get keeping up team spirit and being happy for good play, but acting like you are winning when you are hopelessly behind was odd. Kind of like saying "Hey, staying within 20 makes us happy and is our highest goal!"

 

[MSGRET]

I think the trapping at the end was more of a last straw for Geno. And, of course, it was more than a trap - it was fouling. UCF plays physical and perhaps "chippy" and the refs let a fair bit of it go on. Geno already didnt care for the style of play and he (incorrectly) thought that sending in the subs would result in a polite playing out of a game whose outcome was decided.

I did find the UCF bench celebrations while they were losing big rather bizarre. (Didnt see any taunting etc on tv) I get keeping up team spirit and being happy for good play, but acting like you are winning when you are hopelessly behind was odd. Kind of like saying "Hey, staying within 20 makes us happy and is our highest goal!"

I didn't see that before but I definitely see it now. After MW is called for a travel THREE UCF players break out into an extended dance. That is definitely mocking, silly, & stupid.

Here is the link to where the taunting is. The UCF player is doing the traveling signal and pointing at the UConn player. That is taunting.

 

['nuff sed]

As bush at that was though........

why do I keep getting this mental picture in my head of a screaming crowd in the Roman Colosseum

with UCF as the Christians and Uconn as the Lions

and the bloodthirsty crowd screaming Death Death Death !!! cuz a couple of Christians threw a rock at one of the lions

I don't really wannna be reading the Rise and Fall of the UConn Empire in a couple years.

 

['nuff sed]

I've NEVER under any circumstances sanctioned throwing at batters intentionally, but I do understand your point. I've been watching MLB for over 60 years, and agree that bunting (although it's legal) to break up a no-no is a bush league tactic that most veteran big league managers would not employ.

Ooooohhh

Somebody goes out of the baseline with his spikes up to take out your shortstop you better be throwing at him first chance.

Otherwise you won’t have a job.

Unwritten rule.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Here is the link to where the taunting is.

Yes, their behavior in celebrating and dancing around as they were losing the game by a large margin was crass and dumb. They can clap for their teammates, but what they were doing while losing badly made them look really bad. And Rebeccah Lobo also said as much.

 

[JRRRJ]

I'm a bit of a purest. If trapping is allowed don't be awestruck when it happens. Yea the timing stunk, but it was legit, no ref calls because of the trap (yes the foul after). It is part of the game. Accept it or get a rule to change it. Geno knows that. He was being emotional and an Emotional Geno dosen't always think before he speaks.
Geno probably was angry with the whole UCF game and latched on this to make a point.

This is another example of the current unfortunate ethos: "If it's not explicitly illegal, it's fine to do it at any time."

Not a subscriber here.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Anything I might say has already been said, so I won't. My only contribution would be to refer anyone interested to the final moments of the 2000 championship game. I'll cut Kara Lawson some slack for being nineteen, but that has stayed with me all these years.

 

[ABCDFE]

Anything I might say has already been said, so I won't. My only contribution would be to refer anyone interested to the final moments of the 2000 championship game. I'll cut Kara Lawson some slack for being nineteen, but that has stayed with me all these years.

What happened? Can you remind us

 

[hussybulldog]

Uhhhh, unwritten rules aren't WRITTEN on paper. That's why they are "unwritten rules". Sorry, that was too easy. I just had to revert back to being a 12 year old for a moment.

Sorry. Go finish your french doors.

What are the other unwritten rules ? Is their a most updated manual somewhere ?

 

[stamfordhusky]

Nah. I disagree. There's an unwritten rule that you don't do that crap. You don't sit back in a half court M/M all game and then press when the managers check in. You don't tell your player to "go lay it up" when I've backed off in the last few seconds and said "No fouls", either. It's bush league.

Yes, absolutely true.

 

[CocoHusky]

What happened? Can you remind us

Lawson played to the final buzzer- maybe beyond it.

 

[stamfordhusky]

How UCF played at the end didn't bother me at all, and I'm not certain why it really should have bothered Geno. He always has taught that you play to a standard, not to a score, and that means playing hard to the end.

Seems to me that's what the UCF team did.

There is a HUGE difference between playing hard to the end, and going to a trap that you haven't used all game to try to embarrass a team's second and third stringers. Geno was 100% right to speak out.

 

[Carnac]

Ooooohhh

Somebody goes out of the baseline with his spikes up to take out your shortstop you better be throwing at him first chance.

Otherwise you won’t have a job.

Unwritten rule.

It's an unwritten rule because MLB has refused to police the game and its players down through the years. Throwing at batters is the only retaliation or policing the game they have. Believe me, I understand the philosophy of retaliation in sports, especially baseball.

The commissioner could put a stop to throwing at batters tomorrow by making the penalty so severe, no one would throw at a batter. The penalties I'm thinking of would include automatic ejection of the pitcher, the catcher and the manager for multiple games, along with a very hefty fine for all. 5 games for everybody the first time. The penalties would then double for (for all 3) every occurrence (and keep doubling up to 162 games) after that. The fines would top out at 1 million dollars. Ownership would not look kindly upon managers being suspended for multiple games, and not being allowed to come to the ballpark.

Those penalties (games/fines) would escalate with each successive hit batter during a 162 day calendar. Fines and penalties would carry over to the next season. Games suspensions would follow a player if he is traded. The fastest way to get a player's attention is to take money from him, and take him off the playing field.

Remember the immortal words of the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden: "the bench is an excellent teacher". The "bench" as Wooded referred to it, was meant in a different context, but the end result is exactly the same. A suspended player or manager would not be allowed to be in the dugout during games, practice or travel with the team. Sever penalties, YES!!! But the practice of throwing 90+mph fastballs at batter's heads would stop immediately. How "fair" is it to throw at the next guy up in the lineup for an action he had nothing to do with?

Somebody goes out of the baseline with his spikes up to take out your shortstop. When this happens, if a fine and a suspension from the league would quickly follow (like the next day), that type of activity would also stop IF...................the penalty were severe enough. 99% of the time, the league does nothing, so the players take matters into their own hands.

I remember Chris Sale intentionally throwing at Bryce Harper [and hitting him] at the beginning of Harper's rookie season, for no other reason than Sale thought Harper was "too cocky", and felt Harper needed to be taught a lesson. That's BS. I lost all respect for Sale that day. Some American League pitchers are cowards. They can throw at guys all season long without fear of reprisal because they never have to bat.

The player's association would NEVER agree to penalties as harsh and stiff as these, even though their entire membership would benefit from its adoption and implementation.

But.............................if they did, I think you would agree that intentionally throwing at batters would cease IMMEDIATELY!! THAT is the idea behind this thought. A player (Ray Chapman) has already been killed in MLB as the result of being beaned in 1920. Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Yankees pitcher Carl Mays, and died 12 hours later. He remains the only Major League Baseball player to have died from an injury received during an MLB game. That is a record I would not like to see broken.

 

[CL82]

What are the other unwritten rules ? Is their a most updated manual somewhere ?

If you have the lead and take possession with less than a full shot clock, you let the clock run out without taking a final shot.

 

['nuff sed]

It's an unwritten rule because MLB has refused to police the game and its players down through the years. Throwing at batters is the only retaliation or policing the game they have. Believe me, I understand the philosophy of retaliation in sports, especially baseball.

The commissioner could put a stop to throwing at batters tomorrow by making the penalty so severe, no one would throw at a batter. The penalties I'm thinking of would include automatic ejection of the pitcher, the catcher and the manager for multiple games, along with a very hefty fine for all. 5 games for everybody the first time. The penalties would then double for (for all 3) every occurrence (and keep doubling up to 162 games) after that. The fines would top out at 1 million dollars. Ownership would not look kindly upon managers being suspended for multiple games, and not being allowed to come to the ballpark.

Those penalties (games/fines) would escalate with each successive hit batter during a 162 day calendar. Fines and penalties would carry over to the next season. Games suspensions would follow a player if he is traded. The fastest way to get a player's attention is to take money from him, and take him off the playing field.

Remember the immortal words of the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden: "the bench is an excellent teacher". The "bench" as Wooded referred to it, was meant in a different context, but the end result is exactly the same. A suspended player or manager would not be allowed to be in the dugout during games, practice or travel with the team. Sever penalties, YES!!! But the practice of throwing 90+mph fastballs at batter's heads would stop immediately. How "fair" is it to throw at the next guy up in the lineup for an action he had nothing to do with?

Somebody goes out of the baseline with his spikes up to take out your shortstop. When this happens, if a fine and a suspension from the league would quickly follow (like the next day), that type of activity would also stop IF....the penalty were severe enough. 99% of the time, the league does nothing, so the players take matters into their own hands.

I remember Chris Sale intentionally throwing at Bryce Harper [and hitting him] at the beginning of Harper's rookie season, for no other reason than Sale thought Harper was "too cocky", and felt Harper needed to be taught a lesson. That's BS. I lost all respect for Sale that day. Some American League pitchers are cowards. They can throw at guys all season long without fear of reprisal because they never have to bat.

I disagree - its self policing by the players and it works. Far better than another set of rules and regs.

No way a commissioner makes the game a better game that way.

The players know for the most part whats intentional and what isn't . Especially around 2nd, and almost always in the batters box..
There is no way a commissioner can be a better arbiter of intent than the players - no way.

Personally, I'd rather see them roll back the rules at 2nd and especially the blocking rules at home plate. Arms length to the bag is okay - but you have mostly removed the double play breakup from the game. An exciting element has been removed, one requiring elevated skills by both the runner and the fielder. Its just gone from the game. Is the game better for it ? , I say NO. I agree with Pedroia, those rules are for pu**ies and players with bad footwork.

Brushbacks are part of the game - you wanna give that part away too ?

I don't recall Sale throwing at the greatest Philly since Schmidt.

I hate people meddling with something that works just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Its all part of the game, most of the latest rules and those on the table now, especially balls and strike "solutions" just make it less of a game.

IMO

 

[meyers7]

Lawson played to the final buzzer- maybe beyond it.

And as you can see in the clip, Geno wasn't happy about that either. He's consistent. Like he said, WBB.

 

[BroadwayVa]

This is another example of the current unfortunate ethos: "If it's not explicitly illegal, it's fine to do it at any time."

Not a subscriber here.

Obviously it is legal to trap anytime anywhere. If you don't want it to happen change the rules.
Rules or laws that are not rules or laws, they are nothing and they are open to the opinion/views of the person stating them. The unwritten rules/law don't exist. Try arresting anyone with the violation of an unwritten law.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Ooooohhh

Somebody goes out of the baseline with his spikes up to take out your shortstop you better be throwing at him first chance.

Otherwise you won’t have a job.

Unwritten rule.

You live in a era of litigation. Should spiking or beaning with the ball cause serious damage some one will sue and win and these practices will end. Beaning does cause brain damage that mostly shows up year later a seriously bad practice.

 

['nuff sed]

You live in a era of litigation. Should spiking or beaning with the ball cause serious damage some one will sue and win and these practices will end. Beaning does cause brain damage that mostly shows up year later a seriously bad practice.

CRYING ? THERE"S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL !

Suing ? There's no suing in baseball

Works for no one in any sport --- proving intent is extremely difficult

How do you prove a beanball vs a bad pitch --- you can't
How do you prove intent to injure vs somebody just out of control - you can't

It would set up a system where any and every hit batsman could sue.

Even Sabean was wrong to push the Posey Rule.

Everyone in the game accepts the risks and knows the rules.

Surrender anything to a court system and you have zero consistency of outcome -- end result is worse for any game.

Every city will have a different outcome depending if the incident happened at home or away.

Even more to the point - its worse for every fan - you'll ruin a great game for what ?

The path you suggest is a dead end for everybody.

Hell, I don't even like the nets around past the dugouts.
Read the back of the damn ticket and follow the first rule anybody who played the game learned or as a little kid the first time you even watched a game --- KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL

 

[hussybulldog]

Lawson played to the final buzzer- maybe beyond it.

Actually I like it a bit. She just would not quit! Lobo should show this clip to her again and again if they are on the panel.

 

[Waquoit]

Let's not go too crazy about this. It was a horse merde move, phony hustle. Geno yipped a bit and moved on.

 

[hussybulldog]

If you have the lead and take possession with less than a full shot clock, you let the clock run out without taking a final shot.

Because it does not make a difference, whether you score or not. If you just want to make the death a little more merciful, it is up to you. A game is 40 min. The book didn’t say, if you lead by 20, games would end 30:30. Should there be a rule on when the starters should get off the court during the 4th quarter? Many people blamed Geno for leaving the starters on the court for too long. I looked at as he wants to give his startersmore time to gel in a real battle. So I would not blame UCF for the trap either, that was their last chance before the big dance to practice in a real game. It will be useful for them in a closer game during the tournament. On the other hand, our bench players should be grateful that they had an opportunity to practice on how to handle a trap. Win-win situation. If excessive fouls occur, let’s blame the refs for allowing them to happen!

 

[ABCDFE]

Lawson played to the final buzzer- maybe beyond it.

Thanks CoCo. I'm ok with this stuff honestly even though I agree the optics can look bad if you're a husky fan. I'm more upset about the flagrant fouling, elbows, slapping of the arms and hands etc.

 

[CocoHusky]

Actually I like it a bit. She just would not quit! Lobo should show this clip to her again and again if they are on the panel.

I can actually see both sides of this. However, I firmly come down on the side that says you can never control what the other guy is going to do- therefore be prepared for ALL the possibilities however stupid or unsportsmanlike you thing they maybe. Muffet McGraw was criticized here and during the broadcast for not fouling in the waning seconds of the of the 2015 finals.