NCAA Men's Tournament Officials (2023)

[dahoopref]

The list is out for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball...16-and-elite-8

[JRutledge]

Still wondering what happened to James Breeding? He worked the Final Four last year. I wonder if he could not work being hurt or some other issue.

Peace

[Multiple Sports]

Does anyone have any objections either way? For the most part the committee got it right. I know all 40 are better than I am....

[dahoopref]

Jeff Anderson
Roger Ayers
Ron Groover
John Higgins
Keith Kimble
Kipp Kissinger
Terry Oglesby
Mike Reed
Doug Sirmons
Bert Smith
Paul Szelc

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

Jeff Anderson
Roger Ayers
Ron Groover
John Higgins
Keith Kimble
Kipp Kissinger
Terry Oglesby
Mike Reed
Doug Sirmons
Bert Smith
Paul Szelc

Metaphorically, at least, there is not much diversity, equity, and inclusion in the assignment of Final Four officials.

All excellent officials, no doubt. But we have some teams we’ve never seen in the National Semifinals before. I guess it would be nice to see some officials we’ve never seen there before, too.


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[The_Rookie]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

Metaphorically, at least, there is not much diversity, equity, and inclusion in the assignment of Final Four officials.

All excellent officials, no doubt. But we have some teams we’ve never seen in the National Semifinals before. I guess it would be nice to see some officials we’ve never seen there before, too.


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I was surprised not to see: Earl Walton, Courtney Green and Jeb Hartness given a shot at the FF🤷*♂️🤷*♂️

[JRutledge]

I do not think there are any first-timers on this list. And I do not think that there are but maybe 2 that have never worked a Championship game as well. I think Mike Reed and Bert Smith might be the only two on this list (and I could be wrong) that have not worked a title game.

Also a first-time coordinator, so he might have something to prove as well with the quality of the staff. Not a lightweight on this list.

Peace

[Matt S.]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not think there are any first-timers on this list. And I do not think that there are but maybe 2 that have never worked a Championship game as well. I think Mike Reed and Bert Smith might be the only two on this list (and I could be wrong) that have not worked a title game.

Also a first-time coordinator, so he might have something to prove as well with the quality of the staff. Not a lightweight on this list.

Peace

Szelc and Reed are both first-timers:

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball...023-mens-final

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Knee surgery is the word on the street.

Figured it had to be an injury or something personal. Great guy hope he gets back to where he needs to be.

Peace

[frezer11]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

The list is out for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball...16-and-elite-8

Hmm... I was thinking that the Elite 8 officials were chosen from the Sweet 16 officials, but if there are 40 officials on this list, that isn't possible. It looks like the officials on the list are only working one game, Sweet 16 (8*3=24) or Elite 8 (4*3=12), with one alternate at each location for 40 total.

Is that the normal process each year? And then next week, are the final four and championship officials chosen from the 12 that work the Elite 8, or from the 36 total officials working games this weekend?

[dahoopref]

Originally Posted by frezer11

Hmm... I was thinking that the Elite 8 officials were chosen from the Sweet 16 officials, but if there are 40 officials on this list, that isn't possible. It looks like the officials on the list are only working one game, Sweet 16 (8*3=24) or Elite 8 (4*3=12), with one alternate at each location for 40 total.

Is that the normal process each year? And then next week, are the final four and championship officials chosen from the 12 that work the Elite 8, or from the 36 total officials working games this weekend?

The crews have already been assigned for each of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games with 1 alternate at each site for sets of games.

The Final 4 officials will be chosen from the pool of 36 that work the floor.

[Rich]

Of the 36 on the floor, 29 worked last season. Of those 7 not working, at least 5 are injured or retired. It seems almost impossible to break through to that level.

Likely the same with the Final Four. Breeding and Boroski are gone, so at least 2 new people will work, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see 6-7 returners from last year.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Rich

Of the 36 on the floor, 29 worked last season. Of those 7 not working, at least 5 are injured or retired. It seems almost impossible to break through to that level.

Likely the same with the Final Four. Breeding and Boroski are gone, so at least 2 new people will work, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see 6-7 returners from last year.

Excellent info and something to think about for those on this forum who are assignors at the HS level. How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

My local high school board made a big change a few years ago. Previous to the change, our local members were allowed to officiate in both the boys and girls state tournament (if selected by both gender coaches). The change forced local members (if selected by both gender coaches) to pick only one gender for the tournament.

Lots of yelling and screaming at local meetings, but I believe that it worked out for the best, offering more post season opportunities for some of our younger, but still very skilled, officials.

The state made a major tournament change this past year. Instead of tournament officials being selected by coaches votes (as its been for over forty years), tournament officials would be selected by local boards. My local board utilized our assignment commissioner, our assistant assignment commissioner, and the co-chairs of our evaluation committee to make such selections.

I recently observed twenty-two different local officials in eleven state tournament games. Everyone "belonged" there.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Excellent info and something to think about for those on this forum who are assignors at the HS level. How much do you go with your best versus giving someone else an opportunity?

Well, they claim the best get the opportunity each year, not based on what opportunity you deserve or how many Regional Finals you worked and then you get to the Final Four. Is that what really happens? Not sure, but that is what they tell folks.

Peace