Butler-Gonzaga finish

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by drofficial

The guy who stole the ball in the final seconds last night committed two fouls. Of course, no "good official" would ever call either one in that case. But by rule both were fouls. He pushed the big kid out of the way (leaning on him AND extending the arm on the push)... Then he committed an offensive fould by dipping his shoulder and creating contact, which gave him a clear advantage by creating space.

It's too bad that basketball is not officiated by the rules. It would make the game much better.

I adamantly disagree with both statements. The pass on the inbounds was extremely bad and both players had their hands on each other as normally happens and because it was thrown way over the head of the offensive player, the defender was right there to make the play. Neither player fell down or could not move so you should not call a foul in that case.

In the play to the basket there was nothing to call either. The ball handler is driving to the basket with a retreating defender that has 4 fouls and trying not to foul or allow your opponent to win the game at the line with no answer when you have the lead. Once again, no one fell to the floor and the defender basically did their job to make the shot difficult.

And most of all did you watch the rest of the game? Where those things you say are fouls called at other parts of the game? That was a physical game and I bet they called more fouls than most call in a HS game (which I always find it ironic when HS officials complain about what is called at the college level).

Just because there is contact does not constitute a foul. And there is a little passage in the rulebook in both NF and NCAA book called "Incidental Contact" which makes it very clear that all contact is not a foul even in severe contact moments. And makes it clear there must be some advantage or disadvantage to some contact. So you want one rule used but forget the other rules I guess? And it is fine if there is a disagreement on plays and situations, but what makes a good official is someone that knows when to be consistent and call things they have always been calling, not call things they have not called in the first part of the game an then call them when the game is on the line. Also if that kind of contact is a foul early, you will really have a longer night or not have any plays at the basket or throw-ins without a foul if those two items are fouls, "by the rules."

These two plays are classic examples of incidental contact IMO and never stood out to me as fouls. Were there other plays in the game I could quibble with? Of course I could, but I do that in my own games. And many of the calls they made IMO were there and obvious. Even many of the calls that crew did not make I mostly agreed with.

Peace