Tommy O'neal was the ref who called the disputed and much discussed travel on a Villanova player with 4 sec to go.

Since it appears that the replay probably did not confirm his call, what might the consequences be on his schedule for next year ?

My guess would be none at all.

probably nothing

Granted, that was a tough call at that point of the game. What would be saying if there definatly was a travel, no call was made and Nova won the game? We have the benefit of replay and you gotta admit, it did look a little awkward.

I can imagine that Villanova
will request he not officiate
at their school next season, or
EVER!!

They might but that's not fair. Probably right after the game, that's what they were thinking but in a few days they can look at it more objectively. I cannot believe that's the worst call they've ever had made against them.

O'Neill has nothing to worry about. He's a top official and works many conferences.

On a judgement call? Nothing. Why would you penalize a guy for a judgement call?

It'd be one thing if he'd messed up a rule interpretation.

Are you going to suspend an official every time they don't call BI when replays show that the ball was touched while still barely in the cylinder? Where will it end?

Seeing as how Hank Nichols backed up the call, I don't think Tom will have any problems next year.

O'Neal lives in the Midwest. I am pretty sure that he does not work the Big East. I know he works the Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA and Mountain West. He probably works the Missouri Valley and the Horizon, at least he used to. I do not think he is going to have a problem over one call, whether you agree with it or not. If that was the case none of us would be working.

Peace

For the record - Tom O'Neill - works 100+ games per year. He is one of the top officials for Dale Kelley who assigns the Big 12, C-USA, Mountain West, Sun Belt, WAC and Southland conferences. He also works the Big 10.

His '05-'06 schedule will not be affected by anything that happens during the NCAA tourney. The two are completed unrelated.

One guy assigns 6 conferences?

Isn't there any spreading of the wealth?

I guess that's why he can charge the big $$'s for his camps. I've heard he's like $500 or more. ??

Dale Kelley does not assign the Mountain West, Bobby Diebler (sp?) does. At least one of Dale Kelley's conferences might change next year.