Pac-12: Referee’s Under Review for Calling Too Many Fouls This Season

The Pac-12 referees got under our skin this last season as they seemingly called way too many fouls on our Big Men this season, game after game.

It would happen every game, early on Kaleb Tarczewski would back up to the basket, whomever was guarding him would flop and a referee blew their whistle.  Or any one of our big men, Brandon Ashley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Kaleb would stand straight, feet planted with their hands straight up in the air, the offensive player would come flying into them and another whistle would blow.  “Someone” decided it was time for a performance review.

More from Zona Zealots

• Arizona Football begins Conference play against Stanford
• Arizona Football starts slow but runs away from UTEP
• How Wildcats Fans Can Claim $200 INSTANT Bonus at BetMGM Betting $10 Right Now
• Costly Mistakes doom Arizona Football in loss to Mississippi State
• Arizona Basketball likely to schedule Florida Atlantic for 2023

Most of the games Arizona lost where due to key players being in fouls trouble early on in games forcing our coaches to have to change their game plan.  These ticky tack fouls called, even in the tournament, would not have been called on any player on the Kentucky Wildcats or Wisconsin Badgers teams.

Unconfirmed sources tell us that it was the timing of the fouls that caused Pac-12 leadership to think about reviewing was going on, and if there was a repeat from a couple of years ago when Coach Miller was fined $25,000 for saying “He touched the Ball” over and over again.  Kaleb seems to be manhandled throughout each game he plays due to his stature, but he rarely is ever fouled by anyone, right?

Feb 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller reacts during the first half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

It just seemed to the fans that the referees where not letting the players play. In first games against Stanford this season for instance, there were 51 total fouls called; 23 against Arizona, 28 against Stanford.  How would referees find 23 things that Arizona would do wrong? The team plays perfectly and never commits any fouls!

It changes everything when players get quick and early fouls called on them, putting them back on the bench instead of playing basketball.

The referees seem to even up the fouls called towards the end of games between the teams. Even so, fans get so upset, but fans still remain quiet when they are given gifts from the referees, or calls that are wrong but against the other team.

These are usually the result of our fearless leader Coach Sean Miller skillfully explains in a controlled and calm way to the referees what they are missing or when they have made a mistake.

This seemed to affect Kaleb Tarczewski most of all.  Just when he started pouring on his physicality, strength and defensive prowess, whistles would start to blow from the black and white striped clothed folks who control each game.  Kaleb seemed to always have to adjust his game to stay in the game.

Every time he was sent to the bench for foul trouble, we were disheartened, “let the guy play his game for crying out loud!” Let’s face it, in the NBA he could turn up the heat and he would not get into foul trouble.

APRIL FOOLS!

Mar 26, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers forward James Farr (2) falls on top Arizona Wildcats center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) during the second half in the semifinals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

If you haven’t guessed by now, there is no “review of Pac-12 referees” going on from their performance from last season, even though most fans would welcome it.

So the “Someone” who is calling for a review would be all the Pac-12 fans including us. Note to the Pac-12 referee management: Arizona fans feel there should be less fouls called during the game, let them play.

There seems to be a big disparity between how the Pac-12 referees called a game and how the tournament refs called a game. So we feel that games should be called the same way as they are in the NCAA tournament so the players and coaches know what to expect.

That said, some of us think one or more of the Pac-12 referees were officiating our games at Staples center!  What do you think? Lets have a discussion, leave your comments below.

BEARDOWN ARIZONA!

Next: Final Four, who are you going to root for? Wisconsin or Kentucky?