Stanford coach questions lack of calls
VanDerveer feels refs should be consistent
Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer questioned Friday whether refs are allowing too much contact in the women’s NCAA Tournament compared to the regular season.
The overall top-seed and Oklahoma State squared off in a physical matchup in the second round.
“I think that it is a problem when all season long, hand checking is supposed to be called and then when we get to the tournament, all of a sudden there are different rules. I think it should be consistent from the season to the tournament,” said VanDerveer, who won national championships in 1990 and 1992.
The Cardinal plays No. 5 Missouri State in the Alamo Region on Sunday. VanDerveer said she expects Williams to be ready to play.
VanDerveer said she favors aggressive play but has seen some games cross the line.
“An overly physical game takes away from the strength of women’s basketball, which is our athleticism, our fluidity of the game, what I call beautiful basketball,” VanDerveer said.
“If you’re allowing defenses to just cling on you, to body you, and people are flying all over the court, then I think that’s a problem. I think it is important to have aggressive basketball without it being so physical that it takes away from the strength of women’s basketball.”
“I think it is important to have aggressive basketball without it being so physical that it takes away from the strength of women’s basketball.” – Tara VanDerveer, Stanford women’s basketball coach.