LaSalle/Ole Miss (Video Added)

[twocentsworth]

Originally Posted by zebraman

I respect your opinion Rut. However, to say that he just said, "that's awful" is simplifying the play. He was absolutely reaming the trail and then stood saying "that's awful" four times knowing full well that everyone in the gym was focused on him during the free throws. I see people throw punches at each other for far less "disrespect" in public, but somehow we officials think that it's OK for someone to publicly denigrate us like that.

Let's clarify a couple of things:
1) you've used the phrase "absolutely reaming the trail" repeatedly...I can only assume that you're basing that on his actions/body language and NOT what he actually said (since only two people - the coach and the Trail - know what was said). There are ways to address this, if you think it's a problem, and a T isn't one of them. Situationally speaking, a Tech at this point DOESN'T make the game better!

2) Very few, if any people in the arena were focused on the coach during the FT's. You are focused on him only because one camera (whose sole focus is reaction shots of game participants) showed his comments. "That's Awful!" x 4 may get addressed in a lower level game, but not in a D1 game - let alone an NCAA Tournament game. Simply put, it's "water off a ducks back".

3) Comparing a basketball game to what happens in "public" is a poor attempt at explaining your viewpoint. The two environments have no relationship with each other in any way, shape, or form. When an actual fight occurs on the court, police are not called to investigate and recommend charges to the local prosecutor.

Overall, I understand your viewpoint. YOU would have addressed/handled, in some form or fashion, the comments/actions of the LaSalle coach. Others on this forum, myself included, would not have considered those comments (which only the Trail heard) or actions (which few, if any, saw) worthy of comment or significant action. In short, this situation would not have interfered with my ability to officiate the remainder of the game. Therefore, I would not have focused much attention on it.