Where is the best officiated basketball played?
 

I was talking with my mentor (who also happens to be one of the local HS and college assigners) this AM and we were disucssing various topics related to my development. He told me that given where I am now as an official, and where I want to go, the best thing I could do was watch D1 girls basketball. He said those guys are young (relatviely), have good judgement, game managment, and are driven as almost all of them want to be major D1 men officials someday.

In your opinion, where can we find the best officaited basketball today?

It's doubtful the part I've bolded is true.

Your mentor is wrong -- most NCAAW D1 officials do NOT want to be D1 NCAAM officials.

You can find good officials (and bad officials) at all levels. You should watch at whatever level your goal is -- and recognize that you can learn what not to do as well as what to do.

Maybe I inferred that incorrectly from him, it was a brief chat while on the ride to work. I believe his exact language was something to the effect of "lower level college and women's games". It might be area specific here as he assigns much of the college stuff around here.

At any of my varsity games

Should I avoid your JV games?

+1

Yes, I don't use a lanyard

Colorado

Ask me again tomorrow though :D

Still not a valid statement. Many at that level want to become NCAAW D1 officials; not (as) many want to become NCAAM D1 officials.

I did not take the D1 comment as to what everyone wants to do that work that level around the country. I took that comment to mean that is who works that level in that area. He probably would know what those guys desire.

Also most young 20 something officials I know want to work D1 or the NBA. Now they might not know what it takes to get there, but that is in my experience by far. Oh and they do not envision themselves to work D1 Women's basketball. At least not the vast majority of officials who are male and want to work what they see on TV. Maybe that will change, but not at this moment when the vast majority of games on TV are Men's basketball with packed crowds.

Peace

Maybe he meant the "lower level college" officials were NCAAM officials who wanted to move up to D1. And that they, along with NCAAW officials have good mechanics, game management, etc. and would be ideal to observe for those reasons. IDK....but based on my perspective, Bob is right.

Most NCAAW D1 officials I have talked to have no aspirations of moving to the men's side. In fact, I thought it was kind of a given that once you choose a side to pursue, that's pretty much the track you stay on.

Regardless, I think the best advice in this thread was also given by Bob. Decide on the level you want to work then observe and collect info on that level as much as possible. There are examples of great, good, and bad officiating at all levels.

Why in NE Ohio of course (and wherever I am officiating, :D).

MTD, Sr.

Easy Answer ...
 

My little corner of the Provision State.

Because ur just imitating the nba guys right...:)

To answer the thread question - the best officiated basketball is the NBA (possibly Olympic level FIBA as well - the training those guys have to go thru is amazing).

But to answer your real question - Either you misinterpreted what you mentor said or its time to find a new mentor. In no way shape or form are D1 womens officials aspiring to work D1 mens. First of all a lot of them are women. Secondly, with very very few exceptions do you cross over from womens to mens. You can go women's to men's, but let's be real, that's not considered a lateral move by most. That statement by your mentor just does not make sense.

To get to the crux of your question, what you need to concentrate on attaining (not the same as your end goal mind you) is the very next level from where you are at. I've heard it said just about every camp I've been to. If you are a JV official, you need to worry about becoming a varsity official. If you are a varsity official, you can think about becoming a D3, NAIA, Juco level referee. If you are working D3, NAIA, juco, then we can start thinking about getting DII assignments, and then finally if you are solid DII official, you can start thinking about DI. Guys like Teddy V are an enigma. Chances are you're not. And if you are, you're not here posting this question.

So having said that, find guys that are considered good at that next level, not necessarily to imitate them, but take what they do well, make it yours and fit it in your game.

No, because I'm a cowboy.

If I ever did a JV game(did one this season and only for a particular assignor/league) and didn't use a lanyard I'd be hooted out of gym everyone involved.

Like the weekend bike riders who wear the full metal jacket Lance Armstrong junior starter uniforms, strictly wannabes. That's how I view high school refs with no lanyards.

Depends on how you spell it....

Nutmeg State?
 

I thought it was the Constitution State. Never heard Provision State.

George Washington Slept Here, He Did, Really ...
 

Connecticut was coined the “Provision State” by George Washington for the important role the state’s productive farms played in feeding the troops for the American Revolution.

Also, the Nutmeg State, I believe.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested Southern California, the Land of College and Above!

That one's for you Jurassic, wherever you are...

SEC:eek:

Amen. To both statements........

It's Considered Vulgar ...
 

We, here in the Land of Steady Habits, find that very offensive. Please cease, and desist.