After considerable internal debate over the past several weeks, I have decided to introduce a topic for reader consideration. I’ll phrase it initially as a question. Depending upon reader responses (if I get any at all), and how the season unfolds, I will decide whether or not further address the issue.
Before I make any comments I want to emphasize that I have never discussed the subject with Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle or any of his assistants or, for that matter, any officials at the University of Montana. Furthermore, I do not intend to address the subject with any coaches or players.
The topic is the current state of floor officiating in the Big Sky Conference. How do Big Sky basketball officials rate?
It was only after I had attended the Washington State Cougar Hispanic College Fund Challenge over the past Thanksgiving weekend that I decided to publicly address my concerns.
Why? Because the six games I watched at the Cougar Challenge were the best officiated group of games I’ve observed over the last 10 years. Bar none.
Of particular interest to me was that I recognized three referees working the challenge who have officiated numerous (perhaps dozens of) games in the Big Sky Conference over several years. Each of those officials was an integral member of the outstanding official pool at the challenge.
This Friday, as I entered the U of M Dahlberg Arena prior to the Montana-Cal State Fullerton game, I recognized one of the referees who had worked at Spokane. I had a sudden impulse to walk up to him and congratulate him on the high standard of officiating at the Cougar Challenge. But I didn’t. I now wish I had.
Of course the subject isn’t new. There have been comments and several stories relating concern or complaints by coaches, administrators and even Big Sky Conference officials over inconsistent game officiating.
In just the past three years the issue has been a focus for me, because I have seen at least five games (two last year) where the officiating descended beyond poor. I choose instead to call the officiating baffling, because the repeated nature of and oddity of numerous calls had such a profound puzzling effect that players and coaches were visibly confused... sort of like puppies who wanted to do the right thing but didn’t know if they’d get praised or scolded.
I had begun to wonder last year and early this year if some rule change defining player possession and blocking fouls had been implemented without my knowledge.
So it was quite reassuring for me to watch the officiating in Spokane and say to myself: “Yup! that was charging. The ref got it right.” Or, “Of course, an obvious blocking foul!”
In fact, a humorous situation developed with the players of the Mississippi Valley State team, who so frequently and blatantly attempted to “fake” charging fouls with yelps and sprawls, that referees (discreetly) and fans (loudly) began laughing at them. What was important here is that officials let the game play on and refused to make calls on what were nonexistent "charging" situations.
I’m not taking a solely “Montana partisan position” here. If I am, then this is a moot issue.
Neither am I carelessly slamming the members of a maligned profession. I have several friends who are excellent basketball officials. Several of my former students are currently outstanding officials. I respect the officiating profession and so I don’t want to blow this out of proportion. I’m certain I’ll soon find out, based upon what kind of response I get.
So, here are my questions: Is there an issue of concern regarding officiating in Big Sky Conference venues? Or, Is a minority of competent Big Sky officials “saddled” with inexperienced, perhaps incompetent younger officials? Or, is the style of officiating in the Big Sky competent, but different?
I’ll leave it there for now. Your comments are welcome and encouraged.
