Block/Charge call results in Floyd being ejected

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The Pac-10 decides not to suspend Floyd. Unbelievable.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw...,7258277.story

USC's Tim Floyd, Daniel Hackett avoid Pac-10 penalty

By Chris Foster
6:57 PM PST, February 17, 2009

USC Coach Tim Floyd and guard Daniel Hackett were not reprimanded by the Pacific 10 Conference for actions and comments during and after the Trojans' loss to Arizona State on Sunday.

"The conference will take no public action," said Dave Hirsch, the Pac-10's assistant commissioner.

A source, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak about the issue, said conference officials did not issue a private admonishment.

Floyd was ejected during the final minute of the Sun Devils' 65-53 victory after an animated protest of a charging call on Hackett, who collided with Jamelle McMillan while banking in a shot. Pac-10 officials said Monday that charging was the only call made, but players from both teams had said one referee called blocking and said "and one." That would have given Hackett a free throw and a chance to cut the deficit to three points with 54 seconds left.

After the charging call was made, an agitated Floyd burst onto the court and received two technical fouls. Hackett, after the game, criticized referee Dave Hall, who called the charge. "It was not the first time we have had some issues there," Hackett said, adding that players refer to him as "no-call Hall."

The history between Hall and the Trojans includes Hall's ejection of Floyd from a game at Washington State last season. He also ejected forward Leonard Washington this season for hitting Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin.

Floyd had repeatedly said that, per conference rules, he could not comment about the officiating, but did so in a way that indicated his anger at the call. He said Tuesday he had no regrets about his on-court tirade.

"We don't have the ability to speak at the end of the game and, really, no voice other than filling out a report," Floyd said. "Without being able to state, through your actions, your displeasure, we have no recourse. It's always been a part of game. I'm not the first coach in this league to be thrown out in game, nor in the country. I chose to express myself with the way I felt fit the situation at the time."

Whether the call cost the Trojans a chance to win is open to debate. They would have trailed by three even if Hackett had made the free throw and they rank last in the conference in three-point field-goal percentage.