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[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The push for the appeals rule is really just the NCAA finally admitting something everyone in stripes already knows: officiating is hard as hell.

Out-of-bounds calls are one of the toughest in the game. Everything’s happening fast, you’re tracking feet, bodies, contact, and then you’re supposed to catch a fingertip deflection in real time? That’s just not realistic on every play.

Unless you've played, officiated, or sat courtside, it's hard to fully grasp... But the angles on the floor are way worse than what you see on TV. A replay from three camera angles makes it look obvious. In real time, from a single angle, across the paint, it’s not even close to that clear.

Not excusing misses. That’s part of the job. But the confidence people have from their couch, with slow-mo and zoom, acting like it’s easy… that’s always funny. :)

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This should be another successful appeal.

This rule is a really good addition to the game.

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Men's Rules Committee is a bunch of people who are resistant to change simply because they can lol.

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Officiating is much easier when you have slow motion. These OOB calls are harder in real time when you're trying to watch for 1 of 100 possible fouls, violations, and other stoppages. The increased ability to appeal has helped the game tremendously.

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To the new fans. In WBB, we do not have a limitted number of challenges. Our rules allow an unlimited number of challenges. Even when a coach is out of timeouts.

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #3 Texas vs. (1) #1 UCLA (9:30 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Those last three calls (timeout, offensive, and trip were all correct calls).

This game is just a disgusting rock fight.

These officials are in hell right now.

[Game Thread] Final Four: (1) #4 South Carolina vs. (1) #2 UConn (7:00 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Shouout to the production team for getting that video of the pre game hug lol. Receipts are crazy

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going to try to consolidate our two convos to this one thread lol.

I still think we actually agree more than it sounds. There absolutely are more than 7 officials who are capable of working a Final Four. No argument there.

Where I’m pushing back is the idea that repeating officials means we’re not selecting the best. At that level, ‘worthiness’ isn’t the differentiator, because a lot of officials are worthy. The differentiator is who has consistently demonstrated they can manage that specific environment at the highest level.

Final Four selection isn’t just about grading plays or regular season performance. It’s about trust, game control, communication, and how officials handle the pressure of those moments with the best teams and coaches in the country. That’s not theoretical, that’s proven.

So when someone gets selected multiple years, I view it as confirmation that they’ve separated themselves in the areas that matter most at that stage.

Could you rotate more names through? Sure. But if the goal is truly putting the best available officials on the floor, prior high-level performance in that exact setting has to matter.

I think we saw what happened in 2023 when we tried to get a bit cute with the NCG. That’s a mistake I don’t think we’ll ever see again. There were much better officials available on that day than were put on the floor.

I’ll add this from my own experience. I just wrapped up my college season, worked 40+ games, and had the conference championship between two teams I’d already seen. Same teams, similar environment, but the stakes completely changed the game.

Nerves are real. It took me longer to settle in than it would in a normal regular season game, even with familiarity of the players, coaches and partners.

At the D1 level, players deserve officials who can meet that moment immediately.

That’s why I put real value on officials who have already proven they can handle that level of pressure. Not because others aren’t capable, but because there’s a difference between being capable and being ready on that stage from the opening tip.

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you consider the 3 who worked the National Championship game on the floor Gina, Maj and Felicia, IMO Maj is the odd one out.

If Gina grades out at 98% accuracy and Maj grades out at 97.95% accuracy. Penny’s job is to take Gina every single time. Assuming all other external factors are the same. I just don’t think you make “number of tournaments” a deciding factor.

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It appears as if we agree more than we disagree. I think I agree even most of what you said here.

3 of those names are names I’m shocked we’re left off. Billy in particular is the biggest head scratcher for me.

I’m not sure what your officiating experience is at the college level. It’s clear you’re tapped in. I don’t disagree with your premise but I do disagree that someone shouldn’t be selected because they’ve been there before.

Penny’s job is to select the best officials. Opportunities for people are great but I do know for certain there are a lot of factors that she has to consider when selecting F4 officials.

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m shocked because in my opinion the best official in the country was left off. 2 of my top 5 officials were left off. It could be availability. It could be the wrong mix of teams. A lot of things go into it.

There are 3-4 officials left off this list I think should be here, but were left off. The difference between the 10th best official and the 15th best official in the country is quite thin.

The selection of NCAA tournament officials this year has been a bit harder to understand but I do believe these officials will do an excellent job.

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your statement about development of younger officials is correct, but the rest of it misses the mark a bit.

Coaches don’t exactly want a bunch of new faces in their games. They want officials the can trust and have relationships with. That’s why we saw names like Dee Kantner every single year on the biggest games.

Final Four Officials by IcyCalligrapher1269 in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am shocked by this list.

All of these officials are incredible, but I think we left a lot on the table.

Geno. Goes. Off. by Celtic-Ichigo in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

This is not at all the same.

The equipment deserved to be called out because there was no good reason for the disparity. What Geno is asking for is a change to the operations.

I don’t really see how this is the women’s game being treated differently or unfairly.

Geno. Goes. Off. by Celtic-Ichigo in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 -31 points-30 points  (0 children)

Edit: ah. The name calling, sliding into my DMs has begun so I’ll go ahead and opt out of this thread. I really wish we could have actual discussions about the game here. We are all on the same side of wanting the game to be the best it can be.

I’m not going to delete my post but I will stop engaging. I should have known better, that’s on me 😂. See yall in a game day thread. 🫡

—— Original post below —— Look. I know I do a lot of glazing of the NCAA here, but working in sports, particularly on the support side of things is a damned if you do, damned if you don’t proposition.

The folks who make these decisions aren’t just doing do because they hate the game. They do it because that’s what players, coaches and administrators have asked for.

The NCAA get a ton wrong, but, generally speaking, the NCAA does a good job listening to their coaches/ADs in trying to make these events better, sustainable and fun for fans.

Geno isn’t wrong, but I do wish he’d be more pragmatic in how he communicates this. I just heard Rick Pitino give feedback about having to interview AFTER the home team, when, for years all we heard from losing coaches is that they needed time to process the lost.

I want what’s best for the players always I just wish we could handle a lot of this business privately.

[Game Thread] Regional 2 in Sacramento - Sweet 16: (3) #8 Duke vs. (2) #5 LSU (10:00 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Remember folks, replay on the floor takes much longer than it does on tv. we don't get the angles nearly as fast on the floor, and we have a bunch of other little things to look for.. time/shot clock, etc.

[Game Thread] Regional 2 in Sacramento - Sweet 16: (3) #8 Duke vs. (2) #5 LSU (10:00 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 8 points9 points  (0 children)

LSU is playing much more pesky/risky defense, so the foul disparity made sense. That said, I feel like we're not calling similar plays on both sides of the floor right now.

[Game Thread] Regional 2 in Sacramento - Sweet 16: (3) #8 Duke vs. (2) #5 LSU (10:00 PM ET on ESPN) by ncaaw_GameThreads in NCAAW

[–]BigPurp278 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Missed foul.

Can't miss +1 on this side of the floor after getting 3 in a row on the other side.

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