[Hawks Coach]

Forget the writer - the coach is pathetic for leaning on the foul count. Think what you will of Esherick, at least he said what it was that bothered him - his player taking too much contact in the post, and because he is big, refs letting the contact go. Maybe yes, maybe no, but at least the criticism is pointed toward a specific issue.

SIU coach isn't saying where the fouls were that they didn't get, just demonstrating that he can count (we should congatulate his elementary school teacher). If a team is pressuring, they may increase the likelihood of a foul with the full court pressure. But if they are playing good defense, then they may be increasing their foul count from 3 to 6 by the 18 minute mark.

Foul counts are a ridiculous stat. We actually kicked a team's butt for a half and drew no fouls because they were never in position to foul. We were fouling because of poor pressure defense (at times - got lots of steals too). They ended up in the bonus and got back in the game, and some of my parents complained about the foul disparity. But if you watched the game, the fouls were right.