Dear Big Ten,
I am not one to typically place the blame of a team winning or losing a game on those whose responsibility it is to officiate a fair game. In mostly all cases, even though a call may not go the way I want it to, I can accept the call and trust that the officials on the floor had a better view of the play in question than I did. I also trust that the officials on the floor are familiar with the rules and regulations of the game and that they are comfortable making an objective call. Recently as I've been watching sports, particularly Big Ten men's basketball games, I've become a little more uncomfortable with the officiating that not only dictates the outcome of each game, but the rhythm of each contest as well. I understand that there is room for dispute in most foul calls and each official has his own particular officiating style, but in watching some recent games, I've become somewhat disgusted by many of the referees' calls that have often proven vital in the outcome of an important contest.
Many NCAA basketball fans are familiar with the Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech game that took place on November 30th, which was officiated by the Big Ten. Minnesota ended up winning that game 58-55, and VT fans are still bitter, and for good reason. As you recall, the team of Big Ten officials blew a crucial backcourt violation call on VT's Robert Brown which gave Minnesota the ball at the 9 second mark with the lead. Had your team of referees not blown this magnificently simple call, Virginia Tech would've had a much easier chance at winning the game if not sending it into a period of overtime. However, a Big Ten official called an obviously incorrect backcourt violation, granted possession to the Gophers, and effectively shattered any hope that the Hokies had of winning the game. Instead of acknowledging right then that they had blown the call, the officials decided not to review, to let the game end, and to let Minnesota escape with a win. While such a small call didn't seem very important to the referees on the court that night, that single call could easily dictate whether Minnesota or VT (both arguably bubble teams) gets a chance to play in the NCAA tournament come March.
This is just one instance of idiotic officiating.
Not only does your team of officials have the responsibility of making objective calls each possession, but it also has to make calls consistently, at least throughout the duration of a single contest. One case in which inconsistent officiating directly impacted the final outcome of a game is in last night's basketball game between Indiana and Wisconsin. This team of officials, led by Ted Valentine, called one of the most questionable games in my recent memory. What was a foul at one point was not a foul later in the game. Cody Zeller being hit on the arm during a layup was a called foul early in the game, but with 50 seconds left in the game with IU down three points, the same exact action is not a foul. Such error and irregularity in officiating simply blows my mind. That someone could possibly not recognize that as a foul raises serious questions in my mind as to who should be officiating these important games down the stretch.
Similarly, what was a foul on one player was not called on another. Jared Berggeren hitting Cody Zeller's hand on a lay-in altered his shot, which is something that we can all agree deserves a foul call. However, when he does the exact same thing to the much smaller Will Sheehey, he is credited with a block and play resumes. The play in question happened on the exact same spot on the court. The same player was the offender. The only difference is that Sheehey is smaller than Zeller, so the officials believed that no foul should be called.
The final and most infuriating error in judgement came with Indiana down three, nearing the end of the game. Jordan Taylor from Wisconsin shot a three-pointer, which subsequently rimmed out. Battling Zeller for the best position to grab a rebound, Ben Brust throws his rear into Zeller, sending him flying to the ground. The call? You guessed it: Nothing. Ted Valentine stood and watched as freshman Cody Zeller was thrown to the ground, and not a sound came out of his whistle. Now, I understand and appreciate the concept of physicality. I'm a Big Ten fan. Obviously I enjoy letting the boys play. What I don't understand, however, is how a brush on the arm warrants a whistle and two shots, but tackling another player in the final seconds of a game doesn't. Such incompetence doesn't even belong in suburban church league ball, let alone the best collegiate basketball conference in the entire world. The officiating at the end of this game disgusted me and left me wondering why this group of officials is still employed by the Big Ten.
The conference is better than this. The Big Ten is the cream of the crop not only when it comes to athletics, but arts and academics as well. That we allow a conference of this caliber be officiated by such an incapable group simply bewilders me. The level of consistency at which this game and others have been controlled is unfair and downright wrong. Your conference makes millions of dollars off of each and every player on the court, and it is expected that your officials put forth the same effort that those players do. The fact that your referees are so careless and lackadaisical should be an embarrassment to you. I think it's time to take step back, look at the big picture, and realize what a mistake it is to have such unqualified minds regulating our entire basketball league.
Respectfully,
-DK
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