Surely I can't be the only person around here who notices that the block/charge calls in college basketball have become a joke. Officials are completely blowing it on these this season, and I think the major factor is the new block/charge semi-circle that was placed under the basket. I was all in favor of this prior to the season, thinking it would actually help the refs as it concerns these wildly inconsistent calls; instead, it appears to have made refs lazy. Essentially, if you're not standing inside the circle, you might as well head the other way because you will be whistled for a charge ... even when the defender is sliding under you, moving, or initiating the contact. It seems like the refs are now focusing solely on a defender's feet, in terms of their location, as opposed to any other aspect of the play being made. I've never seen so many charges outside of Cameron Indoor.
During tonight's Arkansas-Kentucky game, I saw something I have never seen before. Marquis Teague was driving the lane, the defender slid into him, they both hit he floor, and one official whistled the defender for a blocking foul. A few seconds later, the officials go to the monitor -- had no idea they could do that to review a basic foul (pretty sure they can't, unless it is to make sure they call it on the right person or to check for elbows thrown) -- and decide to call a charging foul on Teague, as well. Yep, a double foul. Excuse me?! It's either a charge, a block, or no foul. You simply cannot have a double foul in that situation. It doesn't make any sense. The officials were so damn confused on this one that they just decided to call a double-foul, resulting in a jump ball. Ridiculous.
The charge/block arc has to be taken away, or everyone needs to get together in the off-season and figure out how to develop some consistency on these calls.
4 comments:
Instead of getting better at reffing, they seem to be getting worse each year!!
On that note, have you noticed any younger refs? I haven't. It's the same old crop of guys, another year older. As the game speeds up (unless you're watching Wisconsin play), these guys get a step slower in age. I honestly believe that has a little something to do with the quality of officiating. Watch Jim Burr try to run the floor out there. It's silly.
Karl Hess
Ted Valentine
Jim Burr
Ed Hightower
Doug Shows
Tom Eades
Roger Ayers
John Cahill
These guys have been officiating since I remember closely watching college basketball games. Can we inject some younger talent into the profession? They get paid very well.
Notably, Roger Ayers leads the country in games officiated this season - 55. He is the clown who allowed 6 guys on the floor in the closing seconds for ULL that allowed them to beat Western KY with the winning bucket. He's also the guy who called a technical foul on Calipari in the Tennessee game from the opposite side of the court when Calipari had his back to him, even though another official was standing much closer and did nothing.
Saw a double foul on a block/charge in a Butler game last year. Either no monitor required or available for the Horizon League.
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