WOW Bombshell! Dick Gabriel just reported.....

[UKBrassowTipIN]

That NW call was not even subjective. 1000 out of 1000 people would agree that was a goal tend.
That is not the case with our game. All of the UNC fans I've spoken to seem to think they were not given an advantage. The closest to not-objective call was the Bam goal-tend call, and even the announcers were split (I think 2 said "not" and 1 said "was").

Consistency is the problem. You could literally call a foul every play...so what makes him decide to call a breathing foul one play and not another. Like let's say calling bam for an offensive foul on a put back but not Meeks sitting on Hawkins shoulders for a rebound. Or driving in and getting hammered but then a chase down block called a foul on fox. You cpuld call both a foul..why was one called and one not? Refs have the same excuse regardless call a touch foul, "Well it's in the rules so" let someone get murdered "we'll let the players decide it"

There was an obvious consistency problem going on here with how calls changed in the second half. Read Twitter of any media analyst from half time. If your gonna call monk for moving his hands around the ball handler you can't let kennedy Meeks dive into somebody going up for two in the other end. Stop when the nonsense well we are gonna focus on this...call the same way every game.

 

[IUfanBorden]

that he was informed that some higher ups with the NCAA relayed to the refs at half time of the UK - North Carolina game that they need to get their act together and their first half performance was not acceptable.

Fail. I've officiated CBB for a long time. This would never happen. Not at halftime. Maybe after the game , during video sessions, etc, etc...We've had the head of officials, etc,etc...come in AFTER a game, and discuss how the game was called. But never at halftime. Whoever told him this is full of shit. And even if it did happen; which I highly doubt. Only four people would know: The three officials and JD Collins(National Coordinator of officials).

I call BS on this.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Fail. I've officiated CBB for a long time. This would never happen. Not at halftime. Maybe after the game , during video sessions, etc, etc...We've had the head of officials, etc,etc...come in AFTER a game, and discuss how the game was called. But never at halftime. Whoever told him this is full of shit. And even if it did happen; which I highly doubt. Only four people would know: The three officials and JD Collins(National Coordinator of officials).

I call BS on this.

Not a lot of roofing calls today, huh?

 

[IUfanBorden]

Not a lot of roofing calls today, huh?

Well since I work in cultured marble---Ummm, no?

 

[martinsm30]

Fail. I've officiated CBB for a long time. This would never happen. Not at halftime. Maybe after the game , during video sessions, etc, etc...We've had the head of officials, etc,etc...come in AFTER a game, and discuss how the game was called. But never at halftime. Whoever told him this is full of shit. And even if it did happen; which I highly doubt. Only four people would know: The three officials and JD Collins(National Coordinator of officials).

I call BS on this.

What was the last game you refereed? Which conferences do you contract with?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Well since I work in cultured marble---Ummm, no?

I don't get it.. Why would you put marble on a roof. Isn't that kind of overkill? Possibly wasting your clients money.. No wonder you have 1 star on Yelp.

 

[IUfanBorden]

What was the last game you refereed? Which conferences do you contract with?

Irrelevant. I'm not here to dispute how some of you feel . I am just telling you through experience that this didn't happen. There are no "higher up's" in the NCAA when it pertains to officials. There is a "higher up". His name is JD Collins. I highly doubt JD went into the locker room at halftime, and chastised the crew.

 

[IUfanBorden]

I don't get it.. Why would you put marble on a roof. Isn't that kind of overkill? Possibly wasting your clients money.. No wonder you have 1 star on Yelp.

LOL...Ok, you got me. Look, I'm not here to argue . I'm just stating a fact.

 

[JCatfan77]

For Gabriel to say that has my attention no doubt. He's got a very good reputation with UK sports and I can't imagine him making a false statement in this case.

 

[JCatfan77]

OMG, You guys are unreal. Let it rest and get a life. No wonder the rest of the country thinks UK fans are the biggest winners in the NCAA.

I fixed it for you.

 

[martinsm30]

Irrelevant. I'm not here to dispute how some of you feel . I am just telling you through experience that this didn't happen. There are no "higher up's" in the NCAA when it pertains to officials. There is a "higher up". His name is JD Collins. I highly doubt JD went into the locker room at halftime, and chastised the crew.

You put your credentials on the line so just wanted to make sure we had someone that was actually in the know. Officiating is a very difficult job. As a group we always had each others backs because we knew how difficult it is.

Unless you were head official we never question the other refs calls and the head would only overrule us if he had a clear view. We might discuss a call after the game if we felt strongly but it was considered unprofessional to actually question the call.

So which conferences did you say you contracted with?

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Fail. I've officiated CBB for a long time. This would never happen. Not at halftime. Maybe after the game , during video sessions, etc, etc...We've had the head of officials, etc,etc...come in AFTER a game, and discuss how the game was called. But never at halftime. Whoever told him this is full of shit. And even if it did happen; which I highly doubt. Only four people would know: The three officials and JD Collins(National Coordinator of officials).

I call BS on this.

Why is it so hard for you to grasp there is a remote possibility that all this is true? You act like Higgins is a family member. I have a good friend that referees HS B-ball here in Kentucky and everytime someone questions officials, he gets all defensive. You refs must have a tight fraternity throughout the ranks.

 

[IUfanBorden]

You put your credentials on the line so just wanted to make sure we had someone that was actually in the know. Officiating is a very difficult job. As a group we always had each others backs because we knew how difficult it is.

Unless you were head official we never question the other refs calls and the head would only overrule us if he had a clear view. We might discuss a call after the game if we felt strongly but it was considered unprofessional to actually question the call.

So which conferences did you say you contracted with?

Fair enough. I've contracted with the MVC, SunBelt, OVC for ocnfernce games at the D1 level. I have worked OOC games involving schools from P5 conferences. I've worked GLVC,KIAC, GLIAC and HCAC; I've also worked NAIA. I don't work many CBB games anymore b/c of A) The travel, schedule, etc.etc..I wanted to be home more. My kids were growing up,and i was missing that. And B) The company i work for(now). I enjoy the free time that I haven't had in a long time. So for now I work maybe 15-20 at the D1 level, About the same with D1 and NAIA. I mostly work HS basketball now, here in Indiana.

I've never worked the NCAAt at the D1 level. But have worked the regional at D2 and 1st round NAIA games. At the HS level I have worked the semi-state.

I also work HS and College baseball.

As for a HOO ever criticizing our crew at halftime of a game-------Not once. After a game? Absolutely. As for questioning a fellow officials call? No. maybe discuss their thoughts on why they called it. Go over the interpretation of the rule together to get both views. All the time. Make 'adjustments" at halftime? Certainly.

I can say without hesitation that this report is wrong.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Fail. I've officiated CBB for a long time. This would never happen. Not at halftime. Maybe after the game , during video sessions, etc, etc...We've had the head of officials, etc,etc...come in AFTER a game, and discuss how the game was called. But never at halftime. Whoever told him this is full of shit. And even if it did happen; which I highly doubt. Only four people would know: The three officials and JD Collins(National Coordinator of officials).

I call BS on this.

First he says:
It would NEVER happen

Then he says:
If it did happen

Make up your mind dude.

 

[IUfanBorden]

Why is it so hard for you to grasp there is a remote possibility that all this is true? You act like Higgins is a family member. I have a good friend that referees HAS B-ball here in Kentucky and everytime someone questions officials, he gets all defensive. You refs must have a tight fraternity throughout the ranks.

Why is it so hard for you to grasp that it possibly isn't true? As yourself this---Why would an official do this? What does he/she get out of it? Would they jeopardize their career and reputation over a team/coach.

Could it happen? Sure. Has it happened? I am sure it has. Do I think this is the case with Higgins? No, I don't. I think he's been involved in some big time, emotional, close losses involving UK. He's the "big name official", thus making him an easy target.

JMO.

 

[IUfanBorden]

First he says:
It would NEVER happen

Then he says:
If it did happen

Make up your mind dude.

Followed by----"I highly doubt". Reading comprehension. Stay with me, now.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Fair enough. I've contracted with the MVC, SunBelt, OVC for ocnfernce games at the D1 level. I have worked OOC games involving schools from P5 conferences. I've worked GLVC,KIAC, GLIAC and HCAC; I've also worked NAIA. I don't work many CBB games anymore b/c of A) The travel, schedule, etc.etc..I wanted to be home more. My kids were growing up,and i was missing that. And B) The company i work for(now). I enjoy the free time that I haven't had in a long time. So for now I work maybe 15-20 at the D1 level, About the same with D1 and NAIA. I mostly work HS basketball now, here in Indiana.

I've never worked the NCAAt at the D1 level. But have worked the regional at D2 and 1st round NAIA games. At the HS level I have worked the semi-state.

I also work HS and College baseball.

As for a HOO ever criticizing our crew at halftime of a game-------Not once. After a game? Absolutely. As for questioning a fellow officials call? No. maybe discuss their thoughts on why they called it. Go over the interpretation of the rule together to get both views. All the time. Make 'adjustments" at halftime? Certainly.

I can say without hesitation that this report is wrong.

No you can't. You weren't there. You can roll out all the credentials you want but unless you were actually there, stop speaking in definites regarding the situation.

 

[IUfanBorden]

Why is it so hard for you to grasp there is a remote possibility that all this is true? You act like Higgins is a family member. I have a good friend that referees HS B-ball here in Kentucky and everytime someone questions officials, he gets all defensive. You refs must have a tight fraternity throughout the ranks.

There is a difference in questioning an officials call, opposed to questioning his integrity. I don't mind questioning my call(s). But I do mind when my integrity comes into question.

I'm not here to argue this . I am just telling you the likelihood of this happening is like .000000000000000001%. And that's being kind.

 

[martinsm30]

Fair enough. I've contracted with the MVC, SunBelt, OVC for ocnfernce games at the D1 level. I have worked OOC games involving schools from P5 conferences. I've worked GLVC,KIAC, GLIAC and HCAC; I've also worked NAIA. I don't work many CBB games anymore b/c of A) The travel, schedule, etc.etc..I wanted to be home more. My kids were growing up,and i was missing that. And B) The company i work for(now). I enjoy the free time that I haven't had in a long time. So for now I work maybe 15-20 at the D1 level, About the same with D1 and NAIA. I mostly work HS basketball now, here in Indiana.

I've never worked the NCAAt at the D1 level. But have worked the regional at D2 and 1st round NAIA games. At the HS level I have worked the semi-state.

I also work HS and College baseball.

As for a HOO ever criticizing our crew at halftime of a game-------Not once. After a game? Absolutely. As for questioning a fellow officials call? No. maybe discuss their thoughts on why they called it. Go over the interpretation of the rule together to get both views. All the time. Make 'adjustments" at halftime? Certainly.

I can say without hesitation that this report is wrong.

All I can say is "I don't know." because I wasn't there. It would be extraordinary.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Followed by----"I highly doubt". Reading comprehension. Stay with me, now.

Oh I'm right there with ya Zebra. Never implies well...Never. There is no maybe, if ands or buts about it. Never is NEVER. Try to keep up.

 

[IUfanBorden]

No you can't. You weren't there. You can roll out all the credentials you want but unless you were actually there, stop speaking i6n definites regarding the situation.

Huh? Are you stable? I don't have to be there. I've worked over 800 CBB games. And not one time has the HOO came in and chastised our crew, at halftime. Not once.

 

[IUfanBorden]

All I can say is "I don't know." because I wasn't there. It would be extraordinary.

Fair enough. Of course I cannot speak in absolutes. But like you said, it would be waaaaaaay out of the norm. Extraordinary is a good choice of wording.

And thanks for being cordial.

 

[IUfanBorden]

Oh I'm right there with ya Zebra. Never implies well...Never. There is no maybe, if ands or buts about it. Never is NEVER. Try to keep up.

You're a special one, huh. In case you haven't noticed, one of your own on here agrees that it would be well out of the norm for this to occur. I mean how many CBB games have you worked? Me? Over 800. Who do you think has a better grasp on the situation---me or you?

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

I am just telling you the likelihood of this happening is like .000000000000000001%. .

 

[IUfanBorden]

Well done. I'll say this---He has a better chance of getting laid.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Irrelevant. I'm not here to dispute how some of you feel . I am just telling you through experience that this didn't happen. There are no "higher up's" in the NCAA when it pertains to officials. There is a "higher up". His name is JD Collins. I highly doubt JD went into the locker room at halftime, and chastised the crew.

I believe your point. But my question is, what type of conversations go on at half time? I'm just curious..do you talk about specific plays, or say we need to focus on this, or get man ease up on the minimal contact fouls. That was my biggest problem was the consistency, it's not really as much about missing calls. It's like Higgins was gung go about every small contact in the first half...why wouldn't you just have the same approach every game. I mean you could probably call a foul every single possession, so why not just look at things from a certain standpoint and try to always remain with that consistency. It seemed when they came out in the second half they had a different approach.

 

[IUfanBorden]

I believe your point. But my question is, what type of conversations go on at half time? I'm just curious..do you talk about specific plays, or say we need to focus on this, or get man ease up on the minimal contact fouls. That was my biggest problem was the consistency, it's not really as much about missing calls. It's like Higgins was gung go about every small contact in the first half...why wouldn't you just have the same approach every game. I mean you could probably call a foul every single possession, so why not just look at things from a certain standpoint and try to always remain with that consistency. It seemed when they came out in the second half they had a different approach.

Brassow Iconsistency will always be an issue. Reason being is not all contact is comparable. As an official you need to be able to determine what the contact has allowed. Or what it has caused. Did it change possession. Did it cause the ball to go OOB. Did it keep Player A from getting to Spot A, to the ball, etc, etc...So not all contact is treated the same, and nor should it be. And sometimes Brassow, calls simply get missed. Which in turn leads us to back to "consistency". It's not always being inconsistent as musch as it's simply missing a call. Or the contact being considered incidental, basketball contact. Looks the same....But that'snot always the case.

As for coming out in the second half with a different approach? Sure, sometimes you do. Just like teams and coaches adjust, so do officials. And sometimes it's not a different approach as much as it is teams adjusting to how the 1st half was called.

Yes we talk about specific plays, scenarios, calls, etc, etc...If there is a call in question, we'll go over that. We try and make sure all three of us are on the same page. But that isn't always the case. Some guys have a different interpretation of invaded space, freedom of movement. Contact that you may feel is a foul, your partner may not. So we try and fix that, or at least adjust that aspect.

It's a tough ass gig man. You're talking about world class athletes ,playing an area of 94' by 50'. Multiple 6'9", 250 lbs in a confined space. There's going to be contact. And as an official you have a split second to decide if that contact is worthy of a foul, or a play on.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

@IUfanBorden defended Higgins on this call over on the main board.

 

[IdaCat]

Well done. I'll say this---He has a better chance of getting laid.

I'll give you credit for possibly having D1 experience, but you've never worked a huge game like a UK - UNC-CHeat Elite Eight have you? I doubt anybody in a position of authority is closely watching a Sunbelt conference game or GAF. So you may have some knowledge, but you really aren't the best judge.

 

[martinsm30]

Fair enough. Of course I cannot speak in absolutes. But like you said, it would be waaaaaaay out of the norm. Extraordinary is a good choice of wording.

And thanks for being cordial.

There is a difference in questioning an officials call, opposed to questioning his integrity. I don't mind questioning my call(s). But I do mind when my integrity comes into question.

I'm not here to argue this . I am just telling you the likelihood of this happening is like .000000000000000001%. And that's being kind.

I no longer officiate either. I guarded my integrity intensely and always felt I was mainly there to ensure the rules were followed and the game was played safely.

Although I think back now to how easy it would have been for me to have changed the outcome of a game. No one would have questioned me because it was my angle and my call. If you questioned my integrity you questioned the integrity of the game.

I can't speak for John Higgins' but I hope he guards his integrity like I did mine.

 

[IUfanBorden]

I'll give you credit for possibly having D1 experience, but you've never worked a huge game like a UK - UNC-CHeat Elite Eight have you? I doubt anybody in a position of authority is closely watching a Sunbelt conference game or GAF. So you may have some knowledge, but you really aren't the best judge.

No I've never worked an Elite 8 game. And yes those in a position of authority watch SunBelt games. They watch MVC games. OVC games, etc, etc...And I have worked many of conference tourney's where teams are playing for an NCAA bid. Those games are as intense and as important to an Elite 8 game involving UK/UNC. Are they are on the same level? Of course not. But that isn't the point. I've worked many game were HOO(head of officials) are there. Observers are there. National coordinators are there. Not once have any of them ever came in and said---"You guys you need to tget your shit together". Not once.

I go to the same clinincs, same meetings, same briefings, same classes as the Higgins, Valentines, etc, etc...go to. I hear the same POE they do. In all my years, I've never heard of a situation, especially in an Elite 8 game, where a coordinator of officials,and/or someone of that position has ever entered a locker room and told the officials to get their shit together.

Not once.

COULD it have happened? Sure. And someone really could've seen Bigfoot. But how likely do you think that is?

Am I the best to judge? Nope. But I'd say my experience on the matter certainly makes me a better judge than you., or anyone else that is on here. And especially more than a former reporter from WKYT. I mean, who'd he here this from?

As for possibly having D1 experience? I do. Many years. No reason to lie. If you don't find that plausible...that's fine.

 

[IUfanBorden]

I no longer officiate either. I guarded my integrity intensely and always felt I was mainly there to ensure the rules were followed and the game was played safely.

Although I think back now to how easy it would have been for me to have changed the outcome of a game. No one would have questioned me because it was my angle and my call. If you questioned my integrity you questioned the integrity of the game.

I can't speak for John Higgins' but I hope he guards his integrity like I did mine.

Integrity for me has always been #1. I never wanted fans, or a coach to ever walk away thinking I "screwed them". I always took pride in my work ethic. Rather it was a Saturday afternoon rec league mens game, or a D1 game. I gave the same effort. I surrounded myself only with officials who held that same belief. Refused to work with people who didn't hold themselves accountable, and to a high standard. Now does that mean I was immune to mistakes? Of course not. Did it make me immune to not lking a coach? Nope. But it did allow me to separate personal feelings from professional feelings/actions. I wan't there t make frineds. I was there to officiate.

I cannot speak for Higgins either. From the time I've spent around him, he never came off to me as a guy that would set aside the integrity of the game over a rift with a coach. I've never worked with Higgins, so I cannot speak in absolutes. I can only hope he's never compromised this part of the game. If he has, then he needs to step away.

 

[IUfanBorden]

@IUfanBorden defended Higgins on this call over on the main board.

I didn't defend Higgins. I gave my opinion on the call. Watch the right hand of the UK player. You're telling me theres no push there? None? C'mon, man.

Nice try bub.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

I didn't defend Higgins. I gave my opinion on the call. Watch the right hand of the UK player. You're telling me theres no push there? None? C'mon, man.

Nice try bub.

Dude went down like he was shot. No push could have produced that Oscar winning performance. Higgins should have differentiated the two. No foul should have been called.

 

[IdaCat]

No I've never worked an Elite 8 game. And yes those in a position of authority watch SunBelt games. They watch MVC games. OVC games, etc, etc...And I have worked many of conference tourney's where teams are playing for an NCAA bid. Those games are as intense and as important to an Elite 8 game involving UK/UNC. Are they are on the same level? Of course not. But that isn't the point. I've worked many game were HOO(head of officials) are there. Observers are there. National coordinators are there. Not once have any of them ever came in and said---"You guys you need to tget your shit together". Not once.

I go to the same clinincs, same meetings, same briefings, same classes as the Higgins, Valentines, etc, etc...go to. I hear the same POE they do. In all my years, I've never heard of a situation, especially in an Elite 8 game, where a coordinator of officials,and/or someone of that position has ever entered a locker room and told the officials to get their shit together.

Not once.

COULD it have happened? Sure. And someone really could've seen Bigfoot. But how likely do you think that is?

Am I the best to judge? Nope. But I'd say my experience on the matter certainly makes me a better judge than you., or anyone else that is on here. And especially more than a former reporter from WKYT. I mean, who'd he here this from?

As for possibly having D1 experience? I do. Many years. No reason to lie. If you don't find that plausible...that's fine.

No, those games are not as important as an Elite 8 game involving UK/UNC. And yes, they aren't on the same level. Not even close. So yes, you're not the best judge. I expect we'll never know for sure what happened.

If there were ever a situation motivating unusual measures (an extremely high level game involving extraordinarily egregious officiating) this was it!

 

[crawfords corner]

@IUfanBorden defended Higgins on this call over on the main board.

John Higgins referees UK games with a clear agenda. Since it involves Kentucky people will always give it a pass no matter how much integrity they claim to have.

 

[Bryo72]

It would make sense. It was too night and day in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half. Shame the damage was done at that point and Higgins get to officiate FF so per usual NCAA talking out both sides of their mouth

Where their is smoke, there's fire.....Vegas couldn't stand too loose twice...UK dog/pickem in both games...remember the ref in the NBA many moons ago...fixing games!?

 

[Bryo72]

Where their is smoke, there's fire.....Vegas couldn't stand too loose twice...UK dog/pickem in both games...remember the ref in the NBA many moons ago...fixing games!?

Vegas made it look sexy for the UCLA/UK game...for bettors..UK lost in DEC to them...UNC lost too UK...in DEC....my point being is, that UK was screwed from the get go when that brackets we're announced. Possible UK versus UCLA,UNC, Kansas,Louisville rematch no matter what...and throw in Wichita St....

 

[Bryo72]

UK was hosed!!! No matter what

 

[CapnBlubs]

I didn't defend Higgins. I gave my opinion on the call. Watch the right hand of the UK player. You're telling me theres no push there? None? C'mon, man.

Nice try bub.

Literally, that opinion alone tells me what a fool you are. Not cut out for the job you had, if you had it. Your posts were enough to not disprove a past as a referee, but you couldn't possibly have been a good one.

And way to post online with an "IUfan" alias.

THAT certainly is a trust-builder.