This thread needs an unbiased viewpoint. I was at the game last night, and I am not associated with either team. I am actually a referee in several college leagues and personally have worked college games with two of the officials from last night's crew, not to mention I played Div. I basketball and was an assistant coach briefly at the college level. I say this simply to point out that I have seen the game from all sides. The game was not refereed perfectly (just as no game is), and the officials would tell you the same thing I'm sure. After every game, officials discuss plays that occurred and whether calls were missed and so forth. But I will say that I absolutely think the game was called 100% equally and justifiably as to how the game was played. #45 for Marshall Co. is a stud talent-wise but needs to learn to play smarter. Fans miss the point so many times. Why was he trying to block a 3-point shot 23 feet from the basket with four fouls? I can understand contesting the shot with a hand in the kid's face, but swatting at the ball? And yes, he did hit the guy's arm. If it was such a bad call, why was there no protest from the coach or the player? As far as him pushing off with his off arm while dribbling, the DL players were initially holding/hand-checking him which was called at least twice by the crew, and later #45 for MC was called for pushing off. So why are fans from both sides still complaining when the officials adjudicated both situations correctly? Also, #45 for MC could have easily been called for a bone-headed hand-checking foul in the first quarter when he had both hands all over a kid 25 feet from the basket. But thankfully the official used great judgment and told him to get his hands off without calling a foul. Why is that not cited as a situation where the officials properly saved him from a stupid foul? The officials have much more integrity and capacity to manage games than most anyone gives them credit for.
I will say that after talking with the crew after the game, they commended both coaches on being class acts, and watching the game I totally agreed.
Fans have a right to disagree with calls, but try to maintain some class while doing it. Throwing personal jabs in there only shows the lack of intelligience and dignity a person has. It is also amazing to me how certain schools are supposed to be Christian-based yet their fans will yell some of the nastiest things you could hear. And that goes for any fans of any school whether they are Christian-related or not. I'm certainly no where close to being perfect, but it's got to be hard walking into church on Sunday morning when you've disgraced yourself on Friday and Saturday night.
