We have all had a chance to watch the ending of the Syracuse – Duke NCAA basketball game last Saturday night. We have seen THE PLAY from every angle imaginable. We have debated whether it was a charge or a block with mind numbing regularity. We have argued over the technical fouls that ensued thus dismissing Coach Boeheim from this classic game. Now let’s look at some other things that you might have missed from this controversial game.
The three officials assigned to this epic battle were Tony Greene, Roger Ayers, and Jamie Luckie. They represent the top echelon of the NCAA pool of officials. They have all worked deep into the NCAA tournament and two did multiple National Championship games. (I hope Jamie gets the big game this year). This crew is as good as it gets.
C.J. Fair of Syracuse drove baseline and ran over Rodney Hood from Duke. The charge was the only call. Do not be fooled by the talking heads like Dickie V. This call was not debatable by any stretch. I needed only one camera angle to see that Hood was there and was waiting for Fair. The NCAA put in a new rule this year regarding block/charges: “a defensive player is not permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has started his upward motion with the ball to attempt a field goal or pass”. Tony Greene made that call without hesitation and he was emphatic about it. And he only had a split second to get it right. And he got it right.
Boeheim obviously hated the call and flew into an expletive laced rage and was not sure what to do with his jacket. He wound up on the floor and chased Greene. He spoke to anyone who would listen. The technical fouls were deserved and warranted. You do not step on the floor using language like that and chasing officials. I do not care how intense the game was you do not act like that representing a major university on National TV. Boeheim has coached in over 1,260 games. This was not his first rodeo.
Now, on the other side of this Boeheim might have had an argument albeit a small one. Officials utilize a three person mechanic (Lead, Trail, and Center) whereby they have a primary area to focus on while they are monitoring the action during the game. Rotations help put more eyes on the side of the ball. Tony Greene was in the Lead position (on the baseline) and he made a strong rotation to get a better look strong side (where the ball is). Roger Ayers was in the Center or Slot position. As Greene rotated he made the call as he was still moving toward the play. He has seen this play a thousand times in his career. He made the call and was as calm as an official can be in a situation like that.
Boeheim intimated during his rant that Ayers should have called that play since he was on that side while the play started, developed and finished. After watching the replay of this numerous times it appears to me that Ayers was rotating back to the Trail as Greene rotated over. Ayers was not even in the picture or in position to make that call.
John Adams is the National Coordinator of Men’s NCAA Basketball Officials. If he was not at the game at Cameron he was probably watching it somewhere. If his officials did not handle the Boeheim rant I can guarantee a phone call would be made after that game. That crew exhibited professionalism and got through it very well. They managed the game and did what was good for the game.
Now for those who say that a game should never end like that, that officials should have thicker skin, and the players should decide the game, I have some advice for you. A foul with ten seconds left is a foul just like it is two minutes into the game. Actions have consequences. People always clamor for consistency and when a game is called that way they still complain. Coaches do stupid things. And when they do the spirit of the game is compromised. Tony Greene made sure that the game came first regardless of the outcome of his call.
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