Tim Higgins?
 

I didn't see Tim Higgins on Thursday or Friday. Did I miss him? Or is he not working the tournament this year? I guess it could be the end of an era. I think he worked 12 Final Fours which is pretty amazing!

I think you're right.

Other notable absences:
Steve Welmer (no surprise)
Brian O'Connell (worked the Big East Championship final)
Steve Olson
Rick Hartzell

He worked a first round NIT game in Kingston, RI (URI vs Northwestern) on Wednesday night. Thought it would just be a warm-up for him before he drove up the road 31 miles from the Ryan Center to Providence for Thursday/ Saturday first and second round NCAA games.

Higgins was a good official for a long time but he simply can't get up and down the floor like he once did.

I see a lot of new faces in stripes, which seems to be the trend.

I think that is great. There are a lot of good officials out there.

John Adams likes newer and up and coming officials. He also does not like guys who cannot keep up anymore. And that is probably why if you look at other big time names, they are also not on the list as well. Or if they make the tournament, they are not going as far as they did under Adams as they did with Hank Nichols.

Peace

I think there was some question if Rick Hartzell got all of his paperwork done before the deadline to be able to work the NCAA Tournament.

I agree...nothing wrong with getting some new faces in there and I think that the officiating this past weekend was generally top-notch.

I guess I'm just a sentimental kind of guy. I went to Syracuse and always knew we were going to get a well officiated game when Higgins was in the dome. But, like I said...It appears to be the end of an era.

That being said, I haven't noticed Higgins having that much trouble keeping up and I give him credit, he has kept his schedule at a reasonable amount for his age unlike some of his contemporaries.

I do like seeing some of the younger faces so far and I hope it continues but my guess is that you'll see the normal crew at the Final Four though (Cahill, Corbett, Greene, etc.) with one or two new faces.

He does not get most of the Big games in the Big Ten anymore (not that I ever remember him getting them all anyway). That has not happen for some time. Guys like Hillary, Welmer, Hightower and Burr would usually be on those games. I cannot speak for the Big East, I am not in that region.

Peace

go away

I didn't realize that being a "vet" got you an automatic bid into the tournament.

I don't understand why people get picked year after year when there are so many good D-I officials out there. Anything to get new faces opportunities is a good change, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm with you Rich. Instead of looking at it as a negative towards Higgins, I look at it a positive for the other very good officials who are now getting an opportunity to shine.

Now if only certain state HS associations would get that message. :rolleyes:

I would totally disagree with you on this...if the best officials each year are the same officials then they should be assigned to work the NCAA tournament and any HS State Tournament. The assigning for the NCAA tourney is a very complicated process hoping to put the "best" officials to work in the Tournament. If you are good enough to work you will get your shot to work at all levels...IMO!