Does anyone know anything about Rick Hartzell not working the tournament? I saw the end of the ticker on ESPN.

That sucks. :/

This does suck. However, I don't see the need to flash it across the bottomline. Appears to me they are trying to make something out of nothing. While I would agree it does appear to be a conflict of interest. It's obviously not one or the NCAA wouldn't continue to hire him. Just a shame he's not working this year in the tournament, he's a great official.

Heard Hartzell on the radio this morning doing an interview for the local show. He stated flatly that the reason he has declined the tourney this year has nothing to do with the "conflict of interest" stuff. It is simply because he was scheduled on the same day as UNI was supposed to play, and he feels it's his duty as AD to go support his team.

So, the upshot is that he turned down the games because his job as AD takes precedence; not because of Gottlieb, Shemon, Washington, or anyone else's ignorant rantings.

Probably a good thing so he doesn't screw the other teams to get UNI into the final four. Maybe we can get Gotleib a uniform and have him work the games. In all serousness, its too bad. I like watching him work.

Junker, did you hear the conspiracy theory about how Bowlsby and Hartzell got together and ensured each other they'd do what they can to get each other in? I almost ripped the radio out of my car. I think the worst I've heard, though, is Craig Shemon and James Washington on Fox Sports Radio. I used to like them, but I won't listen anymore.

I didn't hear that. In only have a 2 minute commute to work these days so I don't get to listen to a lot of talk radio. I wonder how Iowa State fits into the theory. I think they were seen on the grassy knoll, talking to Castro and the mafia.

I missed it guys...someone fill me in on what these two idiots said, please.

Everytime the subject has come up on their show, they've pretty much laid it out. Washington can't seem to understand how someone can work a game objectively. They're pretty convinced that Hartzell called a bad game in that Indiana contest; and have heavily insinuated that he did it on purpose.
They sound so damned smug and confident, even in their ignorance. Frankly, as an official, I won't be able to listen to them anymore.

More likely because of their ignorance. :(