I know that I speak for a lot of UL fans who appreciate the pride and entertainment that you all provided us for so long, but particularly for this season. This has been a tough time for UL, but the Women’s Volleyball and this basketball team have been a huge source of enjoyment and encouragement.
One observation that I have discovered through out this season, and into this tournament, is just how immature that Women’s NCAA Basketball is, at least in terms of its development when compared to the other NCAA sports. Officiating is always subjective everywhere, and while the Men’s program is far from perfect, the quality in WBB is inexcusable. Aside from its general poor quality across the board; it’s inability to apply the rules with respect to the domination of the tall players when fixed under the basket, is making the game way too predictable. The last two tournament games (Michigan and S Carolina) in many respects showed how predictable the officials have allowed the game to become. Specifically, where the tall girls take the ball into the paint, take a shot that is defended well resulting in a miss, but repeatedly collecting offensive rebounds that produce either a made basket or a defensive foul. Three second calls are so rare that I cannot remember a single instance where the officials were even counting. Seldom are these rebounds attributed to athleticism, or ability to jump …..rather simply reaching up with both hands in the air to gain possession. Boston may be an exception, as she is talented and athletic …… but the majority of her rebounds in this game were confined to never leaving her feet and standing with arms reaching up.
Emily is 6’1” tall and Hailey is 5’7” tall, and their rebounds are earned by both skill and jumping …….. but it pales in comparison to the number of rebounds that Boston collects when parked under the basket at 6’5” tall, and waiting for the officials to call a foul as she rebounds one missed shot after another.
OK, enough about officiating; the ESPN media have no imagination and gave no respect for anyone other than those they identify as their elite. SC is clearly the best team in Women’s College Basketball, but the bias expressed for the entirety of the broadcast is a very sad commentary to this sport. UL was the largest victims of neglect, and I am sure the loss last night fit their expectations as well as their narrative. UL did not deserve to advance, as we were deficient in 3 of the 5 positions on the floor ……exceptions were Emily and K. Smith; as they both executed well. Olivia never had a chance defensively, and SC defensively took Hailey completely out of the game. With that said, ESPN disrespected UL this entire season and last night was on full display.
One observation that I have discovered through out this season, and into this tournament, is just how immature that Women’s NCAA Basketball is, at least in terms of its development when compared to the other NCAA sports. Officiating is always subjective everywhere, and while the Men’s program is far from perfect, the quality in WBB is inexcusable. Aside from its general poor quality across the board; it’s inability to apply the rules with respect to the domination of the tall players when fixed under the basket, is making the game way too predictable. The last two tournament games (Michigan and S Carolina) in many respects showed how predictable the officials have allowed the game to become. Specifically, where the tall girls take the ball into the paint, take a shot that is defended well resulting in a miss, but repeatedly collecting offensive rebounds that produce either a made basket or a defensive foul. Three second calls are so rare that I cannot remember a single instance where the officials were even counting. Seldom are these rebounds attributed to athleticism, or ability to jump …..rather simply reaching up with both hands in the air to gain possession. Boston may be an exception, as she is talented and athletic …… but the majority of her rebounds in this game were confined to never leaving her feet and standing with arms reaching up.
Emily is 6’1” tall and Hailey is 5’7” tall, and their rebounds are earned by both skill and jumping …….. but it pales in comparison to the number of rebounds that Boston collects when parked under the basket at 6’5” tall, and waiting for the officials to call a foul as she rebounds one missed shot after another.
OK, enough about officiating; the ESPN media have no imagination and gave no respect for anyone other than those they identify as their elite. SC is clearly the best team in Women’s College Basketball, but the bias expressed for the entirety of the broadcast is a very sad commentary to this sport. UL was the largest victims of neglect, and I am sure the loss last night fit their expectations as well as their narrative. UL did not deserve to advance, as we were deficient in 3 of the 5 positions on the floor ……exceptions were Emily and K. Smith; as they both executed well. Olivia never had a chance defensively, and SC defensively took Hailey completely out of the game. With that said, ESPN disrespected UL this entire season and last night was on full display.
