Riley is a great player. Not a bad person. We met her and she seemed real sweet. Just like White. She is very, very Rafer Alston-esque in that her opponents always want to fight with her, because she just has that little edge. But... she uses that to her advantage. Just look how well she played after the fight. sorry i didn't get to you all during the thread. The New Orleans Arena is hardcore tight with their internet. But the UNC game will be real, REAL tough. I watched them in person yest and they are thoroughbreds. Even when they were down 12-14 pts, everyone in the arena knew they were about to come back and dominate.
did you get to sit at the fancy media tables? if so, what are they doing on their computers? ive always assumed absolutely nothing or maybe solitaire.
the internet is tight as hell. only NCAA-related or sports sites. not like that is torture, but no facebook, networking, etc... ESPN, cnn, etc... only.
I don't buy the "opponents want to fight" her comment or feel it applies to Alston either. Bringing out the best in someone is one thing. Being a jerk is another. Riley clearly and INTENTIONALLY took a swing in the game. Her actions didn't only warrant a technical but she should've been ejected for the loss of self-control. I'm curious to know how the refs would've handled it had they seen the swing. I don't make excuses for people because they're an athlete, politician, etc. Just look at the so-called Rev. Wright, Imus, Bill Clinton, Isiah Thomas, etc. We have so many double-standards in this country and I'm tired of people telling us how to think. Plain and simple...her actions in that game had nothing to do with good sportsmanship or a player from LSU wanting to fight. She played like a little BEATCH and lost like a little BEATCH!!!
Erica was jawing too and has had similar instances with other players this year. I love her to death, but every incident in an LSU game the past 2-3 years has involved her. She can't shed ALL of the fault. Van wouldn't have yanked her if she were totally innocent. This punch came after she got all up in Riley's face. She is just one of those players that her teammates love her, because of her energy, but her opponents hate her.
Do not know the girl Riley or heard anything about her until the game. Personalities clashed on the court with Erica refocusing on the game and handling her team to a victory. Her frustration was a combo of Erica talking smack and the missed shot Riley wanted to make in her face immediately after. Look at the replay and watch her face go from smack mode to anger after missing that opportunity to score the bucket. Her fist reaction to that was uncalled for. Erica has not crossed the line Riley has. Black and White
not saying Riley isn't in the wrong. she is. and she will be suspended the 1st Big 12 game next year. I am saying that every incident LSU has had this year involved White. not a coincidence.
Perhaps one of the defensive tactics of Erica is to get her opponent focusing on her and not on the game. I coached little league for 7 years and used this tactic often. I had the opponent coaches focusing on me and not the action on the field. Not saying good or bad but effective.
Really wasn't directed at you just thought I would shoot my perspective on it. I agree that Erica has a tendency to cause some smack talk during a game but Erica clearly has used it as an art like I used to do. Get in that dome and it makes it easier to take advantage of your opponet. Alston makes it work for him but he gets too worked up about sometimes and seen his game suffer because of it.
