Katz brings up some great points. I don't know if it is the # games as it is the inconsistency with the crews hardly ever working together as a team. See below for stats on refs who have worked at least 60 games. From highest to lowest, there is a 23% difference in the rate of fouls called per game on
average. These are all experienced officials who ref the same teams in the same leagues. And some of the refs who are considered the best are on the bottom of the list as they try not to take over games. While they do get graded, how is the feedback and accountability loop in place if these guys are freelancers who move from league to league every other night? A league affiliation would help.
I think if you have a ref like Hightower who calls a team like MSU (who is ahead the whole game) at a much higher rate than Wiscy and MSU's season average, then he isn't calling the teams consistently based upon their style of play. Hightower, Greenwood and O'Connell whistle us for more fouls than our opponents vs. our average at a higher gap (and we do foul at an above average rate to start with) than do Cahill, Driscoll, Kitts (even Burr). The Badgers get called for seven less fouls per game than MU (and kudos to Bo for teaching this)--that translates to 9.5 more FT's per game!
In pro sports, officials are considered good if they grade at 95%...bad at 90%. At 95%, that is 3 missed/questionable calls a game for a crew (you hope that is 1.5 per team). When one comes at the end, the spotlight is deservedly bright.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/referees/stats/highest_foul_avg?min=60
