[M T]

The 2017-2018 rules now have an unsportsmanlike foul,  "former flagrant 1 personal and contact dead-ball technical foul" (per WBB case book).
Apparently all the specific information indicating what was flagrant have now been removed, leaving just the name of the foul and the following to guide officials.

IMO, this rule is so vague that the uncalled knockdown of Alanna at 06.8 in the 3rd, could be called unsportsmanlike, and there is no way to complain one way or the other as it is completely a judgement call (no criteria required or sufficient), and (if I didn't miss it), no way for it to be reviewed later (the conference used to be able to determine that flagrants had been improperly called, or had been missed, affecting the eligibility of the player in the next game).

Section 4. Guidelines for Officiating Unsportsmanlike and Disqualifying Fouls
When determining whether a foul is to be ruled an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul due to the level of contact caused, the officials are to consider:
a. The severity of the contact caused by the fouler;
b. Whether the fouler's contact may be considered a legitimate basketball play;
Note: A foul that is considered a legitimate basketball play may still be ruled an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul if other criteria are applicable.
c. When the fouler commits a foul with her arm or hand, whether she winds up prior to contact or follows through after making contact;
d. The potential for injury because of the contact (e.g., contact to the head, fouling a player in a vulnerable position, etc.);
e. The severity of any injury suffered by the offended player; and
f. The outcome of the contact (i.e., does the contact lead to an altercation or fight).

I don't think these rules are an improvement.    #c is the weird one.  Why not a foot, knee, ball, chair, etc?  Does this rule really indicate that it makes a difference if the contact is by the arm/hand???

As for the call against Dijonai, I suspect the call was based on the vulnerability of the shooter, despite it being a legitimate basketball play.

Another disappointment with this rule:  Unless it is called out elsewhere, this would not cover a ball thrown at someone's face, as I've seen Missy fail to call.  The problem is that is NOT considered a foul, so it can't be an unsportsmanlike foul.  (IMO, I would make it a foul or infraction to throw the ball intentionally against an opponent, whether it be at their foot, chest, face, etc.  This does cover the "I'm going out of bounds" play as well as the "off-the-back-of-the-defender" inbounds play)

[M T]

The 2017-2018 rules now have an unsportsmanlike foul,  "former flagrant 1 personal and contact dead-ball technical foul" (per WBB case book).
Apparently all the specific information indicating what was flagrant have now been removed, leaving just the name of the foul and the following to guide officials.

IMO, this rule is so vague that the uncalled knockdown of Alanna at 06.8 in the 3rd, could be called unsportsmanlike, and there is no way to complain one way or the other as it is completely a judgement call (no criteria required or sufficient), and (if I didn't miss it), no way for it to be reviewed later (the conference used to be able to determine that flagrants had been improperly called, or had been missed, affecting the eligibility of the player in the next game).

Section 4. Guidelines for Officiating Unsportsmanlike and Disqualifying Fouls
When determining whether a foul is to be ruled an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul due to the level of contact caused, the officials are to consider:
a. The severity of the contact caused by the fouler;
b. Whether the fouler's contact may be considered a legitimate basketball play;
Note: A foul that is considered a legitimate basketball play may still be ruled an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul if other criteria are applicable.
c. When the fouler commits a foul with her arm or hand, whether she winds up prior to contact or follows through after making contact;
d. The potential for injury because of the contact (e.g., contact to the head, fouling a player in a vulnerable position, etc.);
e. The severity of any injury suffered by the offended player; and
f. The outcome of the contact (i.e., does the contact lead to an altercation or fight).

I don't think these rules are an improvement.    #c is the weird one.  Why not a foot, knee, ball, chair, etc?  Does this rule really indicate that it makes a difference if the contact is by the arm/hand???

As for the call against Dijonai, I suspect the call was based on the vulnerability of the shooter, despite it being a legitimate basketball play.

Another disappointment with this rule:  Unless it is called out elsewhere, this would not cover a ball thrown at someone's face, as I've seen Missy fail to call.  The problem is that is NOT considered a foul, so it can't be an unsportsmanlike foul.  (IMO, I would make it a foul or infraction to throw the ball intentionally against an opponent, whether it be at their foot, chest, face, etc.  This does cover the "I'm going out of bounds" play as well as the "off-the-back-of-the-defender" inbounds play)