Anyone watch the Illini play Washington? I cannot remember ever seeing such a lopsided game in terms of fouls called. Unbelievable. Still, the Illini could and should have won. But I cannot help but express my disbelief that Illinois shot 2 free throws in the second half. Washington lived at the line.
I didn't believe Illinois would win it all. I have them losing in the final four, and that was a big stretch even for my biased opinions. But they will go home knowing that a somewhat fairly called game would have probably meant playing in the regionals. I'm looking forward to seeing who (if anyone) will speak out about this terrible officiating.
Didn't watch the game. I'm at work. Loved the officiating. Then again, I'm a 3 hour drive from Seattle. I hope my Zags (2 hour drive) beat Indiana and keep dancing!
Posted by: James | 03/18/2006 at 07:14 PM
This is my first time to post here. I've been enjoying your blog. But this time I'm not sure I really agree. How could the Illini give up such a big lead? They couldn't get a bucket in the last half of the second period if you took them to Home Depot and pointed them to the isle with the cleaning supplies! The officiating might not have been great, but they just did not shoot the ball well and were out defended.
The worst part of all this will be the complaining I will hear in the morning at church. As the senior pastor of a contemporary, reformed, and baptist church in Schaumuburg, IL (suburb of Chicago) I will be listening to much grumbling in the morning. The poor souls.
Fortunately, as a former resident of Durham, NC, I'm a Duke fan.
Posted by: Scott E. | 03/18/2006 at 07:26 PM
Scott, did you see the game? It's easy for me to defend my team, but I really just can't understand the pressure Wash was allowed to put on the ball without getting their fouls called. It's just beyond me.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/18/2006 at 07:58 PM
I didn't get to see much of the game, because down here in Tennessee they showed the stinking LSU game. They FINALLY switched over to the Illinois game with about two minutes left to play.
Posted by: Tim Ellsworth | 03/18/2006 at 10:13 PM
Here's a quote from Weber at the post-game, "You want to see me get mad," Weber told reporters when asked about the officiating. "You saw what happened. Write what's fair."
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/18/2006 at 10:14 PM
Dee Brown said, "We were hacking more. We were undisciplined on defense."
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/18/2006 at 10:16 PM
Note this blog post.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/18/2006 at 10:20 PM
i'm not a big conspiracy theory guy, but i think someone is out to get the big 10...
indiana's foul numbers were very similar today.
mich state (my team) did not lose because of the officiating, but davis did pick up some CHEAP fouls which certainly changed the level of aggression he played with. (but they lost because they deserved to...)
i feel you pain, steve. i guess we all root for the buckeyes now.
Posted by: david | 03/18/2006 at 10:37 PM
More and more and more and more.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/18/2006 at 10:38 PM
Go Hoyas!
Posted by: joe kennedy | 03/18/2006 at 10:43 PM
Tell me about it, brother. Washington got some very sweet calls and non-calls.
My Crimson Tide was dealt the same trouble as Illinois. Playing UCLA on the "neutral" court of San Diego and watching our guys get mauled during the second half was terrible. You don't want to make excuses, but still. And then to have to listen to a homer like Dick Enberg call the game was just nauseating.
Hope all of you fellas have a great Lord's Day tomorrow.
Posted by: Matt Stokes | 03/19/2006 at 12:19 AM
Maybe the officials still felt bad about how Seattle got robbed in the SuperBowl.
Posted by: JJ | 03/19/2006 at 02:48 PM
I grew up on "Tobacco Road" so I'm not the least bit sad to see the Big 10 eliminated, but the foul situation was absurd. In fact, the Tarheels (I'm not a Tarheel fan) got the same job done on them today. GMason shoots 19 free throws to UNC's 4!!!! 4 free throws in a whole freakin' GAME! I wonder if it's more of an "underdog" thing going on...
Posted by: fr'nklin | 03/19/2006 at 10:06 PM
Yeah, all I know is that Duke gets scammed by officials all the time. :)
Posted by: Glenn | 03/20/2006 at 12:59 AM
UCLA Bruins Rule!!!
Posted by: JoeBruin88 | 03/20/2006 at 01:22 AM
Big XII game, third round, texas versus texas a&m. Texas did not get their first foul until 10:46 in the second half. The team fouls were then 7-1, a&m with seven. So, I feel your pain.
Posted by: Luke | 03/20/2006 at 12:19 PM
"UCLA Bruins rule!"
Yeah.
UCLA reminds me of the British Empire-- lots of bling bling around the buildings that speak of a golden age...long, long ago.
For the record, in my bracket in 1996, I actually PICKED Princeton to upset UCLA in the first round. :) When you can't rule even the Ivy League in sports, you don't rule much.
Posted by: Glenn | 03/20/2006 at 03:58 PM
The great thing about sport is that it brings out the best in people. ;^)
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/20/2006 at 04:06 PM
Truly. I don't think I could have come up with a better reply in a non-sports context. Others may be able to, but that was the best I could do. :)
Posted by: Glenn | 03/20/2006 at 09:03 PM
I love seeing the perennially overrated Big 10 flame out early!
Posted by: Alex | 03/21/2006 at 05:54 PM
Overdue for me to eat crow. I made fun of "Joe Bruin" for his "Bruins Rule" comment....and then they danced to the Finals! Even a loss like tonight doesn't obscure an amazing run in which they ruled all but the Gators. So I have to give Joe Bruin his props and eat some humble pie for my trash-talking.
And congrats to the Gators. Y'all became champs in impressive style.
Posted by: Glenn | 04/04/2006 at 01:55 AM