Quote:
Originally Posted by whistlesblow
Thanks guys -
Near as I can tell the player in question had not been 'jawing' or otherwise getting up in anybody's face and GU players are not demonstrative like some - certainly their coach does not yell at refs like many do. He was a bit incredulous about his three previous offensive fouls, but hardly in an overblown manner, more just like a kid getting a little frustrated.
Bob - The offending shout or heckle or whatever it was seems certainly to have come from a fan behind the bench, not anyone on the bench, which is why it seems odd that the official went right after this player. Maybe JRut is right that he was being too vocal, but I have certainly seen a lot worse from players and coaches. Throw in that Cameron is a loud and confusing place and it just seemed strange that the official following the play could be so certain it was this kid. Maybe I am wrong that the tech is usually on the bench in general, but I don't recall seeing a seated player T'd up.
If anything a bench foul or a warning to the fan seemed appropriate. Absent seeing the guy call him out or being 100% certain, it is hard to see how you can effectively take a guy out of the game who has worked so hard to get there (and in this case appears to have done nothing warranting a tech).
I am of the school that says officials are not the ones people came to see and their impact on the game should be kept to a necessary minimum - maintaining flow and keeping the rules, etc. This situation seems to have gone beyond that, with an official becoming a significant factor. Just my humble opinion.
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Some thoughts:
I get the impression that you're a Georgetown fan. Could it be?
There's no such thing as a "bench foul." There is no "more usual bench technical assessed against the bench collectively." You assess it to the person who opened his mouth.
It makes no difference if the player "has worked so hard to get there." When you're on the bench, you'd be smart to keep your mouth shut.
John Cahill has worked several Final Fours and National Championship games. He was there, we were not.