Kansas/Kansas State Brouhaha

[bucky]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That’s not officiating. That’s coaching and directing the players. That’s not our role in the game, especially at the D1 men’s level.

Well, not sure what to tell you other than I respectfully disagree. At every game I have ever witnessed, played, coached, and officiated, the officials directed the players many, many times throughout the game.

Have you ever conducted a jump ball and told the players which direction they were going? Have you ever told the players how many shots there were during a FT? Have you ever advised the inbounding team where the inbound would take place? Have you ever told a player they had 5 fouls and were disqualified? Ever tell an inbounder they could run the endline? After a made basket in a lower level game, ever tell a confused player to take the ball out? How about telling a college team/inbounder, before a throw-in, how much time they have to get the ball to the FC? How about an inadvertent horn during play and telling the players to "play"? Heck, even pointing at the shot clock at under 10 seconds gives communication to players. I also find it very difficult that you have never thrown a verbal "easy" towards some players.

Those are just several of the hundreds of times that officials coach and direct players. Not sure what angle you were trying to illustrate. I'd be willing to bet that if Higgins was commanding the players to "be smart" several times as he closed near the ball handler/defender, then that melee would not have occurred.

It may not be our specific role as you say, but look at what might be indeed a large part of it: player safety. There is nothing wrong with reminding players that you are there. There is nothing wrong with assisting them in making wise decisions regarding their safety, sportsmanship, and the good of the game....especially when the game is so lopsided and seconds away from being finished.