[JRutledge]

Honestly Jeff, I do not think Nichols cares as much as we might outside of the NCAA. I say this based on comments Nichols made during the Rich Hartzell-Doug Gotlieb (sp?) situation that took place a couple of years ago.

Also earlier in the tournament J.D. Collins worked the Butler-Florida game in the NCAA Tournament and Collins lives very close to Indianapolis where Butler is located. Considering that officials work in multiple conferences, it would be somewhat unfair to only hire people based on only a geographic issue. NCAA Basketball is not like NCAA Football where all season you work in an area and only one conference.

I could be wrong but that is my take.

Peace