Barnes responds on the USC game incident

I agree, a game against usc has a high likelihood of getting very ugly.  I'd hate for the girls to get the brunt of their anger, at least this team has shown the ability to fight back.

Squonk--It isn't just a matter of being scared of USC. A really hard foul can take a player out for the season or perhaps even their career. Different players have different standards for hard and physical play. Believe it or not there are some players ( though not that common) that actually try to hurt and take out opposing players. USC has a player eligible next season who has shown that proclivity. A few years ago I saw a high school player from Oregon taken out for the rest of her season because of a hard body foul (from behind) similar to the one Edwards laid on Tudor. She was the best player on the then top rated Oregon team that came down to Cali. for a tourn. I don't know how it effected the player long term, but the teams chance for the State Title went up in smoke. There are enough season ending or career altering injuries that happen in the normal course of a game without adding risk through over the top physical play.

Yes I am one fan who cares about the health and welfare of all WBB players. Unlike some fans who might like to watch that sort of action especially since they have nothing at risk personally. I personally have enjoyed none officiated pick up games where we spent more time on the floor than on our feet. The non officiated is the key. You can give out as much as you take, which usually doesn't happen with officials. You quickly find out who is tough and who just likes handing out cheap shots. I actually liked those types of games while I am playing them, but I do not like to watch them. It seems you like to watch them, but would you really enjoy playing or even have the cahonies to play in one?

I find it interesting that coach Trahk and the coach of the high school who took out that Oregon player each grew up in New Jersey. Other people who I have met from that area also seem to have that sort of perspective of how the game is supposed to be played. These are the kind of guys you want to have your back in a fight, but not someone to teach you kids how to play basketball. I think Trahk's style of play might bear watching in the future. Is this a one season thing based on available personal, or is it a red flag for the future?

That shove to the floor from Simon to Tudor was too calculated and done when the action had long moved away from the 2 of them, as was Simon's slow motion backward fall after (at most) being grazed by Marie's elbow.  It speaks to her character, a calculating yet very stupid (based on the slow realization that she should fall backwards to make it seem real along with a terrible acting job) person.  Yes, I can see why people would despise a person like that and yell derogatory comments at her, especially when it could potentially have hurt a player that we have a lot of affection for like Tudor.  Did she ever smile in that game?  There's no graciousness or good humor in her at all.  I have no sympathy for Simon.  She's an anomaly in Pac-12 WBB.

If so, then her subsequent behavior proved her elation to be ephemeral.  Outside of the arena, her action against Tudor would be a crime deserving jail time.  Her violence against Tudor was not incidental or in any attempt to aid the team, but out of simple meanness:  The action of a bully against someone half her size.  I don't see how anyone can defend that.