I came across this blog on the Maui Invitational. Interesting to get his perspective, but basically echoes the comments here. One tidbit: Bilas picked MU to win. LOL at the TC and Diet Pepsi comment....others are picking up on that. Hope TC gets some good cash from them.
http://sportsyenta.blogspot.com/2007/11/maui-invitational-day-three.html
To keep with a Thanksgiving motif, here are the juicy "morsels":
-After Bilas walked away to start prepping for the game, I noticed that the worst official in the history of college sports, Ed Hightower, would be working the final game. In no universe was this going to end well.
- I have to say, this was an excellent game but as I expected it would be, the officiating was atrocious. Nothing against Duke, they played very well and earned a 77-73 win, but Marquette really didn't have a chance in this one. From what friends are telling me, even the dynamic trio of McDonough, Bilas and Raftery were all commenting on it. I don't blame Duke or the "Duke-bias" some people complain about with officials, I just blame a bad crew. The Blue Devils were whistled for 16 fouls, while Marquette got called for 27. Any time the disparity is more than five one way or the other, there is a problem.
- Again, I don't blame Duke, hell if my team could get away with that much I'm sure I'd take it. It isn't their fault, but it's hard not to point it out because it totally changed the game.
- Quite frankly, with the Golden Eagles/Warriors getting whistled so often, it was hard for them to get into a rhythm.
It isn't antiMU bias at all. It is holy Duke, pure and simple. Four years ago it got so bad that the rest of the ACC coaches insisted on AND GOT a review of the Coach K factor in intimidating officials. Can you even imagine such a thing in the Big Ten of the Big East!
Time for another one?
During the NCAA finals (Duke-AZ) back then Dan Patrick said he turned the game off early once he saw "how the officials were going to call it." That year Duke MADE more free throws than its opponents were permitted to attempt.
Quote from: chefrad on November 22, 2007, 09:53:41 PM
It isn't antiMU bias at all. It is holy Duke, pure and simple. Four years ago it got so bad that the rest of the ACC coaches insisted on AND GOT a review of the Coach K factor in intimidating officials. Can you even imagine such a thing in the Big Ten of the Big East!
Time for another one?
During the NCAA finals (Duke-AZ) back then Dan Patrick said he turned the game off early once he saw "how the officials were going to call it." That year Duke MADE more free throws than its opponents were permitted to attempt.
just like UW last season!
One thing he pointed out that I thought was a big difference between the game vs Duke this year and last year was that this year Paulus was allowed to just push the MU defenders away with his free hand whenever they tried pressure the ball. Made it a lot harder to pressure the ball. That bothered me more than the foul discrepancy during the game. Last year we didn't let them get into their offense. This year they were able to much easier.
I liked his comment that Paulus should have stayed with football. When they mentioned during the telecast that he was something like the best HS football player or the best QB his senior year I thought the same thing. This guy is really nothing special as a college PG. Travis was far better. Can't see Paulus making it in the NBA
Yeah, Paulus should have played football— for Duke! That would have toughened him up. He has been a disappointment in another area; he doesn't seem to be nearly the grade A jerk most Duke guards are. But then Hurley, Jay Williams and Reddick set ethereally high standards.
Hightower is a very good official or he wouldn't be given important games----some of you guys are parinoid!
Quote from: Murffieus on November 24, 2007, 01:25:12 PM
Hightower is a very good official or he wouldn't be given important games----some of you guys are parinoid!
I'm sure he is a very good official; however, he has a tendency to take over a game. To me a good official should not be in the spotlight of the game, but rather you should not notice him. Too often it seems Hightower is in the spotlight and overcontrolling. How else would everyone know the officials name?
Quote from: Murffieus on November 24, 2007, 01:25:12 PM
Hightower is a very good official or he wouldn't be given important games----some of you guys are parinoid!
That's some whack-ass logic if I've ever seen some, and you could basically apply it to anything.
"Bush is a very good president or he wouldn't be leading our country!"
"Dave Littlefield is a very good general manager or he wouldn't be in such a commanding position of a MLB organization (he's not anymore, but that doesn't really matter)."
etc etc. I could go all day with stupidity like that.
Quote from: CWSKeith on November 24, 2007, 05:18:11 PM
Quote from: Murffieus on November 24, 2007, 01:25:12 PM
Hightower is a very good official or he wouldn't be given important games----some of you guys are parinoid!
That's some whack-ass logic if I've ever seen some, and you could basically apply it to anything.
"Bush is a very good president or he wouldn't be leading our country!"
Obviously you've never been in the Super Bar, otherwise you would already know that Murff whole heartedly believes Bush is one of the greats.
Take a peek at this thread from the Maryland scout site--they hate Duke, of course, but it's interesting to read what their fans say about Hightower as well as our team:
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=174&f=2580&t=1477526&p=5&sto=pagestart#s=174&f=2580&t=1477526&p=1
Love the link, Lawrence...
Nice morsels...
damn singler's been in a duke uniform for about 7 minutes and he's already mastered the flop ... that's impressive
LOL @ the refs .. marquette literally has zero chance in this game ...
Dominic James having his typical game (4-12). He's so overrated.
McDonough & Raftery: "You have to wonder why the officials are stopping the game just to hear Krziamassholeski challenge the call...twice."
Quote from: CWSKeith on November 24, 2007, 05:18:11 PM
Quote from: Murffieus on November 24, 2007, 01:25:12 PM
Hightower is a very good official or he wouldn't be given important games----some of you guys are parinoid!
That's some whack-ass logic if I've ever seen some, and you could basically apply it to anything.
"Bush is a very good president or he wouldn't be leading our country!"
"Dave Littlefield is a very good general manager or he wouldn't be in such a commanding position of a MLB organization (he's not anymore, but that doesn't really matter)."
etc etc. I could go all day with stupidity like that.
Isaiah Thomas is a good coach or he wouldn't be coaching in the NBA
Paulus may not be all he was cracked up to be, but he does have the Duke flop perfected, even when there is no contact at all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPBJ_6y_5A
Murf is an expert on all things Marquette basketball or he wouldn't keep posting.
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on November 24, 2007, 06:41:54 PM
Love the link, Lawrence...
Nice morsels...
damn singler's been in a duke uniform for about 7 minutes and he's already mastered the flop ... that's impressive
LOL @ the refs .. marquette literally has zero chance in this game ...
Dominic James having his typical game (4-12). He's so overrated.
McDonough & Raftery: "You have to wonder why the officials are stopping the game just to hear Krziampretty boyski challenge the call...twice."
Without Dominic. this game isnt even close