Dodds and Ends

Here are the Texas-UCLA pictures. I'm told they didn't open right...

If you didn't get enough of the officiating agenda that seems to be emerging in the NCAA Tournament http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10730844, then take a look at these pictures from Saturday's UCLA-Texas game. They clearly show Aggies guard Donald Sloan being fouled as he goes up for the tying shot with seconds to spare.

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-03/37063269.jpg

http://media.scout.com/media/image/53/532752.jpg

In both pictures you can see UCLA's Josh Shipp reaching across Sloan's body and grabbing the guard's right wrist. Another Bruins player, who appears to be Darren Collison, is hitting Sloan's right elbow.

I'm shocked more wasn't made of this. A&M coach Mark Turgeon has proved himself to be a world-class whiner this season. This time he had a legit claim and just seemed to accept this railroad job. And where was the media to ask the question of Sloan whether he was fouled? I've seen accounts where it was described that Sloan's shot was "swatted away" or that Shipp "blocked" the shot.

What was everyone watching? Unless the photographs you're opening have been photoshopped (and they haven't) this is the biggest travesty of the tournament. The officials couldn't even get the final score right. They late changed the final from 53-49 to 51-49.

Yo, Bill Byrne (Texas A&M AD), I've got Hank Nichols' (NCAA supervisor of officials) cellie if you want it.

Isn't technology wonderful?

Again, are you serious? I was at the game and witnessed the officials allow a VERY physical game from the git go. They weren't calling much of anything. Of course, numbskulls like you, that have to find something to write about, single out ONE play in an entire game because it happens to be near the end.

Technology my astabule! How is this, Dodd? Let's stop action after every play, have every photographer who is courtside upload all images taken from the last play, have the officials pour over each one and "adjust" their live game calls to reflect what they see in the images. Then, add the video replay from ALL available angles. Now, that would be a fun game to watch!

Or how about this! Let's put sensors into skin tight basketball suits covering every part of the body, except the hands. Then , if the sensor buzzes, a foul has been committed.

Or let's strive for ultimate perfection. Add to the body suit, 7 more zebras --- then we'd have two watching every player. How about 17 more?

I just love how there was "fury" over the refs not swallowing the whistle in the UCLA -Stanford P10 finale at Pauley, but "fury" over the whistle being swallowed in the UCLA-TAMU game.

As John Stossel would say, "Gimme a Break!"

Isn't technology wonderful?

The point is that it was obvious he was fouled to everyone in the world...except the Bruin fans. Granted the Aggies should have put that game away long ago but the officials seemed to have other ideas in mind once the time got under 5 minutes to play. Officials have for too long allowed foul after foul to be committed in the final 30 seconds of play because they don't want to "change the outcome of the game". This is ridiculous. That no call as much changed the outcome of the game and, if the Bruins continue to advance, the whole tournament. Would he have made that shot without being fouled? Who knows? Would he have made both free throws? Who knows that either? BUT! The officials job is to call the game fairly...that clearly did not happen and potentially cost the Aggies their shot at overtime.

UltimateBruin Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 13, 2007	Posted on: March 24, 2008 6:03 pm Score: 83 Isn't technology wonderful? Are you serious, Dodd???? [ Reply to Comment ]
UltimateBruin Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 13, 2007	Posted on: March 24, 2008 6:10 pm Score: 89 Isn't technology wonderful? Again, are you serious? I was at the game and witnessed the officials allow a VERY physical game from the git go. They weren't calling much of anything. Of course, numbskulls like you, that have to find something to write about, single out ONE play in an entire game because it happens to be near the end. Technology my astabule! How is this, Dodd? Let's stop action after every play, have every photographer who is courtside upload all images taken from the last play, have the officials pour over each one and "adjust" their live game calls to reflect what they see in the images. Then, add the video replay from ALL available angles. Now, that would be a fun game to watch! Or how about this! Let's put sensors into skin tight basketball suits covering every part of the body, except the hands. Then , if the sensor buzzes, a foul has been committed. Or let's strive for ultimate perfection. Add to the body suit, 7 more zebras --- then we'd have two watching every player. How about 17 more? I just love how there was "fury" over the refs not swallowing the whistle in the UCLA -Stanford P10 finale at Pauley, but "fury" over the whistle being swallowed in the UCLA-TAMU game. As John Stossel would say, "Gimme a Break!" [ Reply to Comment ]
Coyoteguy777 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 8, 2006	Posted on: March 24, 2008 11:34 pm Score: 85 Isn't technology wonderful? The point is that it was obvious he was fouled to everyone in the world...except the Bruin fans. Granted the Aggies should have put that game away long ago but the officials seemed to have other ideas in mind once the time got under 5 minutes to play. Officials have for too long allowed foul after foul to be committed in the final 30 seconds of play because they don't want to "change the outcome of the game". This is ridiculous. That no call as much changed the outcome of the game and, if the Bruins continue to advance, the whole tournament. Would he have made that shot without being fouled? Who knows? Would he have made both free throws? Who knows that either? BUT! The officials job is to call the game fairly...that clearly did not happen and potentially cost the Aggies their shot at overtime. [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Isn't technology wonderful?

Isn't technology wonderful?

Isn't technology wonderful?

Isn't technology wonderful?