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All right already. I am wrong on the scrutiny, but I still don't see the public face that the NFL gives, as cited by Tony.
As for the comments, yes the horrible is over the line, as is any public humiliation. However, saying how they want a rule enforced, and expecting refs to understand how a rule is expected to be enforced, especially one like this, is not as over the line as some of you seem to think. This is not the same as just throwing out the entire rulebook. The delay rule is there for resuming play after a TO, but obviously the ACC does not want to push this issue to the point of a T in the circumstances as they occurred - ACC semifinal, national TV, etc. Maybe they don't even want it on a VA-Clemson regionally televised Wednesday night regular season game - but certainly not in a game of this magnitude.
It is not clear that a major advantage is gained by the team violating this technicality, and clearly not cleaning the water up would be a bad solution (and would that have resulted in a T?). Other delays, like keeping the ball from the other team after a made basket, have a serious impact on the game. Media timeouts are long enough anyway that 15 extra seconds isn't going to win or lose anybody a basketball game. Players probably are sick of listening at that point anyway, so the advantage goe to UMD!
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