You claimed earlier the earth was knocked off it's axis by 5 deg because the game was not called as expected which lead to confusion among the players & coaches. In other words they anticipated and planned for a particular style of officiating. On the other hand, you say here that there's no use in worrying about the officials and your time is better spent making sure your team is ready to play.

Mark,
Yet again you have provided some wonderfully, interesting tidbit of information on the NCAA officiating process. I can only believe that you ask some of the guys how it is done when you are working the table.
But for the sake of completeness, could you state exactly how you come by this enlightening info?

He might have to kill you if he tells you.

OK, go ahead and take one statement and make it mean something exactly the opposite of what I said. You amaze me. In your strong desire to win another argument, one in which I have conceded we will just disagree, you turn my main point completely opposite of what it was.

I never mentioned anticipate or plan - those are your words in this post only. I said they were accustomed to a certain style of play adopted over all of their games this winter, and that trying to completely change how two teams play defense in response to calls that players can't easily figure out is hard for a single game. If anything, the teams did NOT take time to make a special plan for this group of officials, although I am not sure why they would. I don't think any of the individuals in this group had a previous habit of calling things tight.

I never suggested that they game planned around the officials, in fact I think the opposite. Read what I say, and don't try to make it into what it would have been convenient for me to have said.

I worked the men's NCAA tourney when the 1st/2nd rounds were in D.C. a few years back, and got a copy of the tournament handbook. I lost my copy, but they have the PDF's posted online:

http://www.ncaa.org/library/handbook...004/index.html

That's the beauty of the NCAA - just about everything is a PDF somewhere on their website.

Since Barlow, Bell, and Yarbrough worked the semis. My guess for a crew tonight would be the following:

Lisa Mattingly
Dee Kantner
Barb Smith

Alternate: Bryan Enterline

Enterline was the alternate last year so I think that he will be doing the game toinght

Good catch smoref. I remembered that fact after I posted this message. Thanks for catching that for me. Actually, I hope Bryan gets the nod this year as I have had the chance to work with Bryan in the past.

Outstanding official and person to work a game with. Really enjoyed working with Bryan.

I have had a chance to see him work a few games last year and was able to talk with him about philosophy and other things. He really know his stuff and was good to talk with.

I would never have any doubts if he was on any crew.

It's the same alternate for all 3 Final Four games - so you've seen whoever the alternate is already.

Absolutely.

Bryan is great at keeping his cool no matter what - possibly the calmest, most collected official I've ever seen (I need to learn quite a bit from him). The whole game can be going to hell, but he stays strong and consistent.

Bryan, indeed, did get the nod over Barb Smith, and he is very deserving of the assignment. I have known Bryan for over 10 years, and tonight assignment could not have happened to a nicer guy or better official.

MTD, Sr.

Thanks Mark. Although it took me a while to find what I was after under Appendix O. How appropriate!
Also, if you are talking about those games that were played at the MCI, I was there too, but I didn't have nearly as good of seats as you did. :)

Nor did I pay as much as you probably did. :)

MCI Center/GT is going to be hosting again in 2006, I believe. If I'm still in town, I'll definately be volunteering again.