Some post-weekend reflection:

The March 21 article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was headlined: Ohio State star Samantha Prahalis silences opponents. From the piece:

The NCAA moderator asks if either she or Ohio State teammate Jantel Lavender can open with a comment on St. Francis (Pa.), their first round opponent today, and Prahalis' head drops, her gaze fixed on the floor. It's almost as if she's the kid hiding in the back of the classroom, hoping if she avoids eye contact the teacher won't call on her.

That's when you start to wonder: Is this really the flashy player with eight tattoos, the one people call anything from fiery and competitive to cocky and out of control?

Then there was Mechelle's blog entry from March 22 (Riley much more than her reputation) and I began to wonder: considering the very public meltdown Sam Prahalis had in the second half of the Ohio State loss v. Mississippi State, will Mechelle be writing a similar article about S.P. sometime during her senior year?

Throwing the ball at a player is not throwing a punch -- but it is in the same catergory. And, it got Prahalis a T and removed her from court -- crippling any chance (however slim) the Buckeyes had at a comeback.

It's seems to me that coach Foster and Prahalis' mentor, Debbie Black, have some serious work to do with this young point guard in the realm of "managing your emotions" and not letting the game (or other players) get to you.

And, no, I don't miss the wonderful irony of Debbie -- the queen of getting into other player's heads (just ask T-Spoon) -- as a mentor.

Flashback time from the NYTimes:

Miami's Debbie Black added to the Liberty's troubles by harassing everyone, especially point guard Teresa Weatherspoon. Black gave her no breathing room and forced five turnovers. ''

Debbie Black disrupted our offense,'' Adubato said.

A bruise under the 5-foot-3-inch Black's right eye is fading. She said she did not remember when it happened, only that it might have been two games ago. It is surprising Black did not get another black eye, or a split lip, yesterday. Shoulders and elbows made constant contact with Black's face. But she was a defensive menace.

''That's how I play everybody,'' said Black, who was booed every time she came on the court. ''I play this way every night. I have to or I won't be in this league.''

With the Liberty trailing by 16 points late in the first half, Weatherspoon pulled up for a 37-foot last-second shot. Black, who went down, said she was pushed by Weatherspoon after the shot.

Black said she followed Weatherspoon off the court to tell her that the push was unnecessary. A crowd formed behind the Liberty bench as players from both teams were holding each other back.

''It was nothing,'' said Black, who finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

''It's just a friendly rivalry.''Weatherspoon, who was held to 4 points and 4 assists, said: ''It was just a confrontation. This is a game of basketball.''

Which leads to another thought -- when can we see a team coached by Teresa Weatherspoon go up against a team coached by Debbie Black?

Heh. heh. heh.....