Thabeet/Blair Play

[Spence]

I saw a highlight of the Pitt/UConn game and was wondering what was called on a particular play.

Blair for Pitt got a rebound and had Thabeet's arm trapped between his arm and his body. He then bent over and as a result pulled Thabeet over his back and Thabeet hit the floor.

What was called? My first inclination was to assume a foul on Thabeet but then I got to wondering what he did to warrant a foul.

Anyone?

[JRutledge]

If I recall nothing was called. They stopped the game because Thabeet was hurt.

Peace

[dsturdy5]

They called an "over the back" foul on HT.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by dsturdy5

They called an "over the back" foul on HT.

Was that the correct call? I guess I'm having trouble calling a foul when the player would not have been called for a foul had the opponent not clamped down on his arm and then caused him to go over the offensive player's back.

[mbyron]

I think dsturdy5 was joking.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I think dsturdy5 was joking.

Egg on my face.

[jeffpea]

Originally Posted by Spence

I guess I'm having trouble calling a foul when the player would not have been called for a foul had the opponent not clamped down on his arm and then caused him to go over the offensive player's back.

Thabeet would not have been flipped over Blair if Thabeet didn't reach his arm into Blair in an attempt to get the ball....foul on Thabeet - good call!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jeffpea

Thabeet would not have been flipped over Blair if Thabeet didn't reach his arm into Blair in an attempt to get the ball....foul on Thabeet - good call!

What advantage was there? Did the action displace Blair in any way?

I have to admit I had a lot of questions about his fourth foul; but he was a non-factor all game, even when he was in.

[PSidbury]

Originally Posted by Spence

had the opponent not clamped down on his arm and then caused him to go over the offensive player's back.

Just saw the replay again on ESPN, and it sure does look like Blair continued to pull Thabeet over his shoulder by leveraging-down on his (Thabeet's) wrist.
Blair initially had both hands on ball when Thabeet had stuck his hand in there.
But then as Blair leaned/crouched forward, his (Blair's) right hand comes off the ball and he arm-pulls Thabeet over his back.

The replay really makes Blair's tug look intentional.

Granted, lead-official was screened from this by Thabeet and center-official was already headed down court (eyes probably on mid-court group of transition players).

But, hey... I'm just some high school official who happened to be lying on the couch eating Doritos when he saw the replay...

Paul