Chuck:
Probably no difference at all. I thought about that too. Hindsight is always 20/20
Actually, since the contact happened across the table near the division line the only thing that would've changed ON THE COURT is that the player fouled would've been required to shoot the free throws.
It was a hard play for me to describe -- the only reaction I had at the time was, "How unsporting." I mean, the elbow itself wasn't vicious (which is why I didn't see it as flagrant). But it was calculated and was into the back of the other player. Easy call in football
Rich