I completely agree with my coworker Ron and his stance on this years NCAA tournament. I feel it was exciting as it possibly could be including a great final four and championship game minus Michigan State not showing up versus Duke. If I had to nitpick and point to one negative aspect of the tournament I would say the officiating throughout the tournament was questionable. Referee’s can dictate an entire game and it is up to players and coaches to adjust accordingly, but what made this year different was the inconsistencies within each game even from the 1st half to the second half. There were a few games that were definitely decided by the refs and not by the players which is never a good thing.
Even after an incredible championship game between two powerhouse programs in Duke and Wisconsin, the officiating again came into question. Coach K’s fifth title with the program was not overshadowed however he did have to respond to some of coach Bo Ryans comments regarding the game. He said there was more contact and hand checking allowed in the championship game than any other game the badgers played in this season. He also mentioned he felt sorry that his players all of a sudden had to play in that type of game. It should be noted that Wisconsin benefited from questionable calls in there take down of Goliath like Kentucky in the final four. In what some feel was classless coach Ryan also appeared to take a small shot at programs like Kentucky and Duke for having “rent-a-players” citing he’d rather take a fifth year guy and build his program from within. It came off as tasteless and uncalled for but he was clearly frustrated about the loss. The NCAA big wigs should look into a way to correct the bad officiating especially when you have players, fans and top coaches griping.
