The Zebras

[BCPanther]

The Valley draws from a pool that also typically works primarily Big XII and Sun Belt games. These are guys like John Higgins, Mark Whitehead, Tom Eades, Kelly Self, Kipp Kissinger and Paul Janssen. This is the majority of our pool

We also draw four guys from out west (Scott Thornley, Verne Harris, David Hall, Randy McCall), those four also work PAC 12 and Mountain West games.

We also use a few crossovers from the Big Ten-MAC pool. Most notably Bo Boroski, Mike Sanzere, Terry Wymer, and Ed Hightower.

For lesser games, and a lot of Saturday night league games, we draw from the Horizon-Summit pool. This group is eager to work Valley games due to a bump in prestige as well as a bump in pay. Examples from this pool are Brad Ferrie, Jeff Malham, and Jeff Campbell

That is a snapshot. I am a college basketball junkie and find officiating schedules absolutely fascinating...

[CBB_Fan]

Lot of talk about John Higgins. He is the epitome of why refs are not known before the game. Wichita State fans (and they aren't the only ones; many fanbases hate him) would seek him out and probably endanger his safety, slash his tires, whatever. Perhaps the most hated ref in this part of the country. Only one I've seen to get his own chants (and boos) before the game has started.

Anyway, if you think this is an issue take it up with the league office. They can ask officials to put priority on certain calls, or focus on calling the game in a certain way. It would not surprise me at all if the conference told refs to call fouls the way they do and perhaps favor the home overly much.

[shoxrox]

The league may get "good" officials, but those same officials call their games differently in this conference than in some other more high profile leagues. That is the problem.

[BCPanther]

Take 5 different John Higgins tapes. 5 random nights. 5 different games.

You will notice amazing consistency. He is more likely to call block than charge. He is more likely to allow a defender to 'chest' an offensive player. Two hands on an offensive player making a play to the bucket is an automatic foul. His communication with both coaches is absolutely outstanding.

There is a reason that guy gets the games he does.

[valleychamp]

The league may get "good" officials, but those same officials call their games differently in this conference than in some other more high profile leagues. That is the problem.

Thats laughable. There is no factual basis to believe this, whatsoever.

[CBB_Fan]

Take 5 different John Higgins tapes. 5 random nights. 5 different games.

You will notice amazing consistency. He is more likely to call block than charge. He is more likely to allow a defender to 'chest' an offensive player. Two hands on an offensive player making a play to the bucket is an automatic foul. His communication with both coaches is absolutely outstanding.

There is a reason that guy gets the games he does.

... as long as it isn't a game involved Wichita State! Seriously, I have been amazed at the inconsistency of some of the games he has called for us. Brushing of finger tips on defense, foul. Body-slam by 3 guys on offense against us, nothing. Nothing makes me hate an official like a double-standard.

[shoxrox]

The league may get "good" officials, but those same officials call their games differently in this conference than in some other more high profile leagues. That is the problem.

Thats laughable. There is no factual basis to believe this, whatsoever.

Wouldn't be as laughable if your flops weren't getting called.

[LJay]

Higgins takes a lot of crap on Internet boards. CU never gets him except for the occasional 300+ RPI team game since he lives in Omaha. However, I have noticed that he refs "big" games (top 20 vs top 20) and deep into the NCAA's.

That said, he, like many refs you watch (Gerry Pollard anyone?!) have a huge sense of self-importance.

[musiccitybulldog]

The thing I dont get about officiating any more is...there is no traveling when someone falls on the floor...you can slide 20 feet then "wrestle" with 3 guys diving for the ball and its always a jump ball.

Same with towards the end of a game, you can get two guys trapping someone and slap the heck out of them making making the offensive guy with the ball either cough up the ball with out a foul or tie them up for a jump ball, seldom a foul any more.

I

[valleychamp]

The league may get "good" officials, but those same officials call their games differently in this conference than in some other more high profile leagues. That is the problem.

Thats laughable. There is no factual basis to believe this, whatsoever.

Wouldn't be as laughable if your flops weren't getting called.

lol, it always comes back to that doesn't it?

I'm sure its all part of Elgin's elaborate scheme to screw GG and his Shox.