Musketeer Madness

Football gives coaches a challenge flag during games. Thus they can challenge a few calls during a game, especially in critical situations. If their challenge fails they lose a time out. Northwestern could have used this when the other team actually did an offensive goal tend, which took 2 points away from Northwestern at a critical time near the end of the game. The no call by the refs changed the game and on top of the no call , they charged the Northwestern coach with a technical foul for protesting their no call..which gave the other team more points. There needs to be something ...a way for a coach to challenge refs no calls or bad calls during the game/ limited of course. (I hope those refs at the Northwestern game are never used again in an NCAA tournament).

Another reason this may be needed is the many close games decided by 5 points or less. This year in the NCAA Tournament there have been 12 of the 52 games decided by 5 points or less...about 12% of the games. A few more of the games were decided by 6 points or less...two 3 point shots. Refs are deciding some games under the 5 minute left in the game mark. Bad calls in the last 5 minutes can and do decide some games...need for a coach challenge.

Ask Nova about this. Officials were obscene.

I think logistically, it would be hard to stop action after such a play (Northwestern/Gonzaga) with play continuing on. I think the game is already getting too long with all the stoppages for time clock issues etc.

I think they should continue to review the referees on a regular basis and reward based on merit not on longevity, politics. The good news is Higgins and his buddies have finally retired. They could barely get up and down the court.

My big frustration is the inconsistency of what referees will call and not call.

In the referee's defense, it is the hardest sport to call. and they are all part time in this role.

XU80 wrote: In the referee's defense, it is the hardest sport to call. and they are all part time in this role.

Try little league baseball sometime.