SU believes 2018 should be the year that refereeing, umpiring and officiating take their game to the next level.  It’s time.  Cases in point:

• If you watched yesterday’s Titans – Chiefs game, there were several instances of replays which were used to overturn fumble calls that were obviously wrong as well as a spotting of the ball that was a good 3 yards off.  And the NFL supposedly uses its top refs for the playoffs.  Not in this game.
• SU watched the Michigan – Illinois game yesterday.  Illinois has a new coach who has his team playing fierce, man-to-man, defense all over the court.  This means grabbing, holding and not allowing teams to run their offense.  It’s an interesting strategy.  Rye High School has employed this approach for years as SU’s subscribers who are familiar with Blind Brook High School hoops can attest to.  The refs can literally call a foul on every possession but rather than do that and slow the game down, they allow it all with no calls.  In this game, they actually did the opposite and started calling touch fouls on Michigan.  The game had no rhythm or flow.  SU says if it’s a foul, then you call it and you call it right from the start.  They will stop at some point playing defense that way.  But once you allow it, then that’s the way the game will be played.  Big Ten refs are challenged to begin with in any sport.  They need to get this right.
• SU says the fault is not all on the refs.  LeBron, for all his greatness, is the biggest whiner on foul calls in the NBA.  He complains on every call and stays down at the other end to make his point.  In the NFL, receivers literally on any incomplete pass make the hand motion for a penalty.  Some are legit, but many are not.  Every play.
• In the NBA, no player ever commits a foul.  They protest, flail their arms but when you watch on replay, they obviously did.

What you have today is players and coaches whining on every play.  SU suggests the following:

• Let’s start penalizing coaches and players more quickly for complaining on calls – especially in the NFL where nothing ever happens.  I am not saying disqualifying stars through technicals but maybe allow 3 technicals for ejection and make each tech 2 foul shots.  Just nip it in the bud.  At the highs school level, there is zero tolerance for this crap.  Apply it at the pro level.
• Get the replay process moving much faster.  There are obvious overturns that take 5-6 minutes.  Just do it.
• The NFL should simplify the catch rule.  If it looks like a catch, it’s a catch.  Move on.
• The call on the field shouldn’t matter in the NFL or in college.  Use the replay to get it right.  Things happen way to quickly on the field and replay today is so precise.  Just use the technology with the goal of making the right call.  Period.

SU has always believed that good teams overcome officiating.  Stop complaining and just play through it.  Of course, you will lose some games in the end but be professional and just play.  I know I am old school.   The games are fast moving and it’s hard to see everything.  Too many players today complain about not being respected by refs who won’t talk to them.  Enough of that.  Just play through it.

Thoughts?