I know we have not yet played a game in the NCAA tournament as of yet, but would anyone like to start venturing guesses on who will work the Final Four this year?

Of the games that I saw over the weekend, and last week, here is who I think will work the Final Four this year.

Karl Hess, Ted Valentine, Jim Burr, Scott Thornley, Ted Hillary, Mike Kitts, Ed Hightower, John Cloughtery, and Dave Libbey, with Dick Cartmell or Tony Greene being the alternate official.


Put the first nine names in any order, and it would be good crews all the way around.

Mr. Wellmer would be a good bet.

I just hope the Big 12 officials who worked the UT-Kansas game and the UT-OSU game don't make it. (I think it was two different crews but am not sure.) I did not think that they did a good job. Especially the UT-Kansas crew, they were bad. I was only able to listen to the OSU-UT game because it was on ESPN so I can't comment on most of the calls. I did think that Big 12 tournament officials should know that the ball is not after the shot clock buzzer sound as long as there is no violation.

[Edited by gostars on Mar 15th, 2004 at 06:27 PM]

I don't think Mr. Wellmer will be working the final four. You also forgot about Donnee Gray and Boudreu (spelling?). Unless you know something I don't know.

Donnee Gray & maybe Greenwood will be in the mix.

Reggie Greenwood

I did forget about Greenwood, Gray, and Beaudruex being in the mix as well. I do have to disagree with a previous response, as I can count it a sure bet that one of the officials from the OSU-UT game will end up in the Final Four again this year.

I have already mentioned his name in my original post.

I'll take an outside shot and say Dave Hall will be there. I would like to Reggie Greenwood make it.

Yes to Clougherty as I think he's hanging it up this season. No, No, No to Valentine. All of the others would be good choices.

Keep in mind...
 

That many times it depends on how many times these officials have the final 4 teams during the year. Welmer has been set to go for a few years but he officiates all the big games...and has had the teams that make it to the final four too much!

[Edited by Indy_Ref on Mar 16th, 2004 at 02:41 PM]

What's wrong with Valentine?

Others to consider
 

Dave Hall and Steve Welmer. You never know, some "rookies" might bust on the scene. I got my first State Tournament this year and got a State Championship game.

He's a little too much of a showman to me. I certainly don't think I'm alone in this belief...

I hope Wellmer gets in this year. Has he ever gone? I don't think so.

Hillary, Hightower and Burr would be great choices.

Sanzere? His attitude gets on my nerves, but he is a good official and may get in.

One point of advice. Never base your opinion of officials off of a radio announcer's opinion. You don't know nearly enough about the game to make that comment. Okay, a 2nd point, what was it about the Kansas-UT crew that was "bad?" Pointer, you'd best have some concrete example of missed rules or something to that effect.
Kansas fan, perhaps?