To be physical or not, that is the question

[Ellenson Guerrero]

The discussion in the thread below is pretty detached from reality, but one poster does raise an interesting question considering the Big East email that was leaked yesterday. Miami fans attributing their struggles last night to being conditioned to play "soft" ACC basketball. Putting aside the issues of style points and school personalities, does a physical brand of basketball in-conference do more to help or harm a team come tourney time?

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=13&f=2929&t=11420214

[connie]

Interesting. I always thought that the way Cincy played under Huggy hurt their chances in the tournament as they were bound at some point to get officials that were going to call fouls.  I suspect this is a gross simplification.

[radome]

To be honest, I was concerned, early on, that the lack of calls was going to take away one of our best advantages; depth.

[T-Bone]

To be honest, I was concerned, early on, that the lack of calls was going to take away one of our best advantages; depth.

Me too. 

I'm happy so far that the refs have been snacking on whistles.  With the physical grind of the BE, a fraction of those refs are calling these games, and I figured we would be in foul trouble. 

[wardle2wade]

Last night was our biggest indication that "Let them play" officiating suits this year's team... Probably most MU teams as well.  If we were to play Louisville, however.......

[bilsu]

It all depends on the refs. So far we have had (so has Louisville) three games where the refs let the players play.

[MerrittsMustache]

It all depends on the refs. So far we have had (so has Louisville) three games where the refs let the players play.

Exactly. If the refs let them play, be aggressive as hell (i.e. 2nd half vs Butler). If the officials are calling it close, slow it down, pound the ball inside and let DG win the game from the stripe.