Notable absences (NCAA officials)

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kwv001

I think the list of names that ended their tournament after the first round is also interesting - most notably Ed Hightower. Maybe the theatrics finally bit him. If that's the case though, you have to wonder how Teddy V managed to get a second round game though.

I think Valentine is in a different class than the others TODAY. Teddy is theatrical, yes, but he is a damned solid (and still fairly young) official who runs the floor well and isn't afraid to make a nutcutter call when needed.

(The one I saw this past weekend was when he called a throwin violation (and an obvious one, too) as the C when the thrower-in ran the line when he wasn't entitled to and the official administering the throw-in didn't realize it or didn't see it. Deer in the headlights look on the administering official's face was pretty obvious, but he went with what Teddy had right away.)

Ted seems to be in much better shape than he was 5+ years ago, too.

[GoodwillRef]

Teddy V. has worked the Final Four is the past couple of years.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

Teddy V. has worked the Final Four is the past couple of years.

So did Hightower. Last year too, I believe.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So did Hightower. Last year too, I believe.

Not just the Final Four, the National Championship game as the Referee (they do not just give that to anyone)

Peace

[tomegun]

I'm curious to know why people criticize Hightower and Valentine for their "theatrics", but nobody says anything about David Hall's or Scott Thornley's theatrics. Plus, what Hightower and Valentine do is not needed, but they aren't always doing things to put themselves in worst positions to referee the game. I think there is a big diefference between putting some extra flavor on what you do and jumping around until you are out of position.

Why do officials bend over and put their hands on their knees? Totally useless and it looks bad.

[JugglingReferee]

Yes, it looks odd. I wouldn't say bad, since often a ball bounces around like a pinball - the hands on the knees shows you're on top of it.

If one thinks it looks bad, it's nowhere near as worse than making a show out of a simple out of bounds call, and then getting the call wrong.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

...the hands on the knees shows you're on top of it.

Are you serious? If so, that would be fake hustle.

[dahoopref]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I'm curious to know why people criticize Hightower and Valentine for their "theatrics", but nobody says anything about David Hall's or Scott Thornley's theatrics. Plus, what Hightower and Valentine do is not needed, but they aren't always doing things to put themselves in worst positions to referee the game. I think there is a big diefference between putting some extra flavor on what you do and jumping around until you are out of position.

Why do officials bend over and put their hands on their knees? Totally useless and it looks bad.

I agree.

[Raymond]

Mizzou cheerleaders seemed intrigued by Ed.

[johnny1784]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

I agree.

Does anyone know the type and name brand of his shoes?