Tim Higgins?

[biz]

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!

[Jay R]

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

[KJUmp]

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.

[BktBallRef]

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.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

...
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.

[JRutledge]

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

[GoodwillRef]

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.

[biz]

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.