NCAA Tournament

I know MSU squeaked one out tonight, but it's going to be increasingly difficult to watch any games.

For one thing, the officiating was pretty rotten. Even the announcers made a comment, something like, "Well, they're being bad at both ends of the court." (Does that make it OK, then?) Then, a short while later, a slight bump was called and they laughed. That said, the NM player did commit the lane violation. I noted it to Karen before the MSU guy even released his shot. It took guts for the official to call it.

For another, the announcers were also bad. They noted an MSU player, "getting his first action of the night," after he had not only been in the game, but had been at the free throw line for two foul shots! Then, a guy said, "Green (I think) has been a nonfactor in this game, not yet scoring...." (or something like that). At least the color guy noted, "But he's done some other things to play a role in this game." Yeah, like have about a dozen rebounds at that point. I guess 10 or so rebounds is a "nonfactor." But on the free throw lane violation, one guy said, "Boy, you don't see that called very often in college ball," with the other guy adding, "especially at this time of year" (or something like that). Great, just great....

Why don't we stop calling other things, like double dribble, three seconds, over and back, and, hey, maybe even some fouls (oh, they already don't call fouls?). Or, better yet, why don't we rewrite the rule book, eliminating free throw lane violations, at least during the tournament? There must be a reason for the rule, but if it's a sissy call, then why not just get rid of it?

No, my guess is I won't be watching Sat or Sun or whenever they play next....