In the Chronicle of Higher Education, Sara Lipka has an excellent article on the practice player issue. Lipka attended a Maryland practice. She describes how the scout players are used:

At any point, six women are playing and two are on the sidelines. They switch in and out frequently, calling each other's names: "I got you, Aurelie." Several say they like the quick rotations, because subbing out gives them a chance to get a drink.

"You're grateful for those breaks," says Laura Harper, a starting forward. "With the guys, the intensity goes up, so you need more subs."

Players also say practicing with a male scout team lets them play hard enough to improve their game. "When we're playing against each other, we don't want to hurt each other," says Harper. "We're not going to be as aggressive. But when we're playing against the guys, it doesn't matter."

Elsewhere, Weber State coach Carla Taylor supports a ban. “If some [teams] do it and others don't, that's not an even playing field. To me, it takes away from practice opportunities for women, and that's not right.”

Florida players disagree. So do Syracuse players. So do Oregon players. So do Pitt and Penn State players.

What will happen? Duquesne coach Dan Durkin predicts some "compromise" regulation. "It will be determined based on some scientific goulash."

Durkin has a better idea: "I think coaches should ask their teams if they want male practice players. If the players are OK with it, then it should be OK."