UK-Northwestern Game Thread

[Lighthouse]

I respectfully disagree....and question how you can speak for all NCAA officials.

I can only speak for the training, integrity and overall character of the officiating community. And experiencing what it's like to be on the court with ten talented athletes in a confined space. All officials try to get their calls right without any care about the outcome of games. Let me ask you what I think is a fair question. Have you ever been an official? If not, how can you say there is such a thing as a make up call?

[KCKUKFan]

I can only speak for the training, integrity and overall character of the officiating community. And experiencing what it's like to be on the court with ten talented athletes in a confined space. All officials try to get their calls right without any care about the outcome of games. Let me ask you what I think is a fair question. Have you ever been an official? If not, how can you say there is such a thing as a make up call?

We've seen the sort of integrity and overall character of guys like Higgins and his frivolous lawsuits, so pardon me if I don't think that every single one of them is a pristine choirboy.

[Westtncat]

I can only speak for the training, integrity and overall character of the officiating community. And experiencing what it's like to be on the court with ten talented athletes in a confined space. All officials try to get their calls right without any care about the outcome of games. Let me ask you what I think is a fair question. Have you ever been an official? If not, how can you say there is such a thing as a make up call?

While I understand not wanting to condemn people I would have to say that like any other group of people there are bad people who work as refs. Like with any profession you hope they get it right and I would say they almost always do or at least intend to. To say its a fact there are no make up calls is false. You dont know just as I dont. I have never been lots of things and neither have you, someones lack of employment in any given field doesn't mean the people are good. People are mostly good and some bad, this transfers to any profession or group of people.

[Spiritof96]

While I understand not wanting to condemn people I would have to say that like any other group of people there are bad people who work as refs. Like with any profession you hope they get it right and I would say they almost always do or at least intend to. To say its a fact there are no make up calls is false. You dont know just as I dont. I have never been lots of things and neither have you, someones lack of employment in any given field doesn't mean the people are good. People are mostly good and some bad, this transfers to any profession or group of people.

I know several career officials... The ALL insist make up calls don't exist. (They also almost always side with the call on the field/court when there is a controversy) On second thought... no, they always agree with the call on the field.

[Lighthouse]

We've seen the sort of integrity and overall character of guys like Higgins and his frivolous lawsuits, so pardon me if I don't think that every single one of them is a pristine choirboy.

I didn't say they were. And I've expressed my feelings about John Higgins, I've evaluated him here several times and he has never had a good one. He is an embarrassment to our profession, especially with that ugly display in his last game. We know how folks feel, and we deal with it and continue.

[Lighthouse]

I know several career officials... The ALL insist make up calls don't exist. (They also almost always side with the call on the field/court when there is a controversy) On second thought... no, they always agree with the call on the field.

I don't, and when I don't, I say so.

[teamchemistry15]

I have never and will never be an official. I want no part of that. I think (with the exception of a few) they all do a great job and the majority of the calls they make are correct. It's pretty dang impressive. If you have never had the chance to watch a D1 basketball game in the first few rows I don't know if you can appreciate just how tough their job is. Sure, they have assignments and designated areas, but it can't be easy.

Regarding the trade off or make up calls: Each referee has different tendencies. Some will let a foul go but another one will call it. Just because one let's it go doesn't mean it isn't a foul. A "ticky-tack" foul is still a foul. Just because it didn't get called earlier in the game doesn't mean it shouldn't be called now. All that being said, do I think if an official makes a call that is incorrect or questionable and he realizes it that he may call a ticky-tack foul on the other end a few possessions later, even if it's a call he normally doesn't make? Yeah, I do. Do I think if official B doesn't agree with the call by official A that he might do the same thing? Yeah, I do. Do I think officials have actual conversations saying that a make up call needs to be made? Yeah. Why? Because I attended a UK women's game a few years back. The woman I was with is very well known around all UK Athletics. After the game we were talking with the coaches (including Mitchell and his family) and one of the referees stopped to talk to her. She made a comment about a TO that he called and he winked. She explained later that specific official told her that they definitely use TO calls, known as trade offs. If a questionable call is made, a trade off is given. Do I think they sit around in their huddle and discuss one needs to be made? No, but I think they just know when one needs to be made, they make it, and move on.

I understand it isn't in the training to do this and I think it actually strengthens the integrity of the job. What's fair is fair. They don't have the ability to look at every play in slow motion or change every call. If they got one wrong the only way to fix it is to maybe have one lean in the other team's favor.

[teamchemistry15]

Side note: I think some of you guys and gals are too tough on Lighthouse. I've been around this board for over ten years and can say that he always gives an honest evaluation of the officials. If it's something the majority of us don't agree with he can give evidence of why he feels a certain way and can always justify his opinion, and certainly doesn't hesitate to say an official is wrong when needed.

[Spiritof96]

I don't, and when I don't, I say so.

I was speaking of my friends in particular and slightly tounge in cheek.

[Joneslab]

There are absolutely make-up calls, and it makes sense that there would be. Those guys are getting pounded from the fans, the coaches, sometimes the players...OF COURSE they try to even up the game. That's just human nature.

Can't speak for football but you'll see a couple of make-ups in virtually every basketball game you watch. Just the refs trying to get these million-dollar coaches off their backs. I get it. A lot of times those calls don't really even factor in to the final score of a game.

[40bill]

At best, the two calls in the bowl game we've been speaking of were two bad calls by individual officials that IN MY OPINION took two fine competitors out of the game for very very thin reasons.
the MCB committee will likely weigh in on this in some form

We won't know the outcome to the officials.There will be no change in the game result.

On to next year.

[johnkyblue]

Side note: I think some of you guys and gals are too tough on Lighthouse.

I've been. He's great at defending himself and refereeing so I don't think he needs any sort of letup. I'm not doing some of the things I've done ever again towards him out of fear and respect, not out of any desire to go easier on him or those dang blasted referees.

[KevinHall]

There are absolutely make-up calls, and it makes sense that there would be. Those guys are getting pounded from the fans, the coaches, sometimes the players...OF COURSE they try to even up the game. That's just human nature.

Can't speak for football but you'll see a couple of make-ups in virtually every basketball game you watch. Just the refs trying to get these million-dollar coaches off their backs. I get it. A lot of times those calls don't really even factor in to the final score of a game.

It's human nature to have make up calls. You see it in basketball all the time. Not as much in other sports but it happens. And will happen as long as humans officiate games.