[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by BC22

If they touched Oden they were whistled for a foul. Even when Richards had his arm against Oden's back to keep Oden from leaning back and pushing him down under the basket Richards was whistled. Just absolutely atrocious officiating, particularly by Corbett. Just awful.

Originally Posted by BC22

But, again, sticking to the facts, how could you interpret Horford's defense on Oden as a foul a minute and a half into the game? How can Richards be whistled for a foul for placing his arm, not elbow, up against Oden to keep him from backing him down?

I've played a lot of basketball, both high school and college. You needn't attempt to denigrate my observations by classifying me as simply "joe fan." In fact that tells a great deal about your mindset regarding those who are watching this great game.

If you would actually read the rules, you'd know how that action could be interpreted as a foul. However, you obviously haven't read them, but still you feel that it is your right to come on here and state how poorly the game was officiated, and how wrong the calls were. You are simply "Joe Fan" who thinks that he knows the rules, but really doesn't. Like 99% of those out there, you've played, but never officiated or even seen a rules book, yet you believe that you know the rules. Got news for you, your experience with the game doesn't make you an expert on NCAA officiating. You merely open your mouth and criticize before you use your mind to get fully informed about the situation. That is why you get ripped by the real officials here. BTW that is sticking to the facts.

Now here are the rules citations that you haven't ever read from the 2007 NCAA Rules Book which detail how that forearm could be interpreted to be a foul.

Points of Emphasis for Men
BR-17

Rough Physical Play and Illegal Contact

For the 10th consecutive year, an aspect of rough play is a point of
emphasis. This length of time demonstrates the rules committee’s consistent
and persistent concern that rough play must be properly addressed.
Furthermore, it highlights the need for improvement in the officiating of
rough physical play and illegal contact in the collegiate game. Motivated by
the basic premise that the collegiate game of basketball is a game of skill, it
was the committee’s contention that the officials’ focus of attention shall be
directed toward eliminating rough play and illegal contact in the low post,
off the ball, in cutting and screening situations and during hand-checking
anywhere on the playing count.
When illegal physical contact, with or without the ball in the low post,
results in a player attaining an unequal favorable position, an advantage to
perform has been gained by that player. It is consequential to observe the
offensive and defensive play in the low post from the beginning since rough

play and illegal maneuvers may cause and affect subsequent physicality.

Of special concern is the play, without the ball, in the low post by the
offensive and defensive players. An offensive low post player, dislodging a
defensive player from an established position by pushing or backing in, shall
be called for a personal foul. A post player who uses his hands, forearms
or elbows to prevent a defensive player from attaining or maintaining a
legal guarding position shall be charged with a personal foul. The player
using the “swim stroke” movement to lower the arm of an opponent shall be
assessed with a personal foul.
Likewise, a defensive low post player who uses his hands, forearms
or elbows to prevent an opponent from attaining or maintaining a legal
offensive position, shall be charged with a personal foul. Furthermore, it
shall be a personal foul when a defensive player pushes with his leg or knee

into the rear of the offensive player.

APPENDIX III / OFFICIATING GUIDELINES BR-183

Section 6. (Men) Post Play

Some guidelines to officials in making correct, consistent calls in lowpost
play:
a. Observe the entire play, especially when responsible for off-ball
coverage.
b. Anticipate the play but not the call when post players are in fronting
situations.
c. A defensive player pushing a leg or knee into the rear of the offensive
player shall be a personal foul on the defender.
d. An offensive player dislodging a defensive player from an established
position by pushing or backing in shall be a personal foul on the
offensive player.
e. A player using the “swim stroke” arm movement to lower the arm of an
opponent shall be charged with a personal foul.
f. Post players using hands, forearms or elbows to prevent an opponent from maintaining a legal position shall be charged with a personal foul.