Tuesday, March 17, 2009

If Seattle Seahawks fans really want referees to whine about

This opening-round NIT game between Davidson and South Carolina is being atrociously officiated by the stripes. You would hope for a season-ending tournament (albeit the inferior one), you could find a few competent referees. Instead, the trio on the floor are awful and, from the looks of it, Gamecock alumni.

South Carolina's players are flopping around so much, European soccer players would blush. Yet, time and again, the black and white are falling for it and whistling fouls for routine game actions, such as boxing out on a shot. Davidson's top two players, Andrew Lovedale and some guy named Stephen Curry, have combined for five fouls with most of the second half remaining. Maybe one or two of the whistles were warranted, but that's it. And as for the rest of the team?

Brendan McKillop- 3. Steve Rossiter- 4. Max Paulhus Gosselin- 4. With 16 minutes left, the Wildcats have committed 21 fouls, to 15 for USC. Four Davidson players have at least three, while one Gamecock is in foul trouble. Davidson has shot nine free throws, South Carolina has made 16 of 22.

Amazingly, Davidson still has a seven-point lead, thanks to Curry's 16.

Yeah, I'm really pulling for Davidson, since a win for them would mean they face the St. Mary's-Washington State winner. But I'm not exaggerating by much on the foul situation. Let them play and the best team will win.

Amazingly, Davidson

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