Sunday, December 05, 1999
Fletcher takes flack for defense
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEVELAND — Ryan Fletcher spent 18 minutes of UC's 75-68 victory over Gonzaga on the court, about 17 on the bench and another five in the Bearcats' locker room.
After he was removed from the game near the 15-minute mark for playing behind Gonzaga's Axel Dench in the post, Fletcher had a quick exchange with Coach Bob Huggins on the bench and then headed down the tunnel.
“An upset stomach,” Huggins said.
Fletcher returned in about 5 minutes of game time and ultimately was sent back to the game with 5:21 left, but only after senior Jermaine Tate reached four fouls and freshman Donald Little missed an easy catch that became a turnover and then banged an important dunk attempt off the back rim.
Fletcher defended his effort against Dench by explaining UC's post defenders are instructed to front when the opposing big men are playing down low, but to play behind if they get too far from the basket. He thought Dench moved out enough that playing in back was the proper tactic.
“I'm out there playing in the heat of the moment, and I made the split decision,” Fletcher said. “The guy just made a shot. It's not like I didn't contest the shot. I had a hand in his face, and he made it.”
He later drew Huggins' ire for inbounding the ball in the final minutes to Kenny Satterfield and Pete Mickeal, instead of Steve Logan.
Bearcats Stories
