ACC Officiating: What's Going On Here?

Recently, it's been pointed out that certain ACC officials seemed to be suddenly ignore fouls University of North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough may have committed.

It also might have been mentioned by others that Karl Hess and his crew were among those certain officials who worked UNC’s recent victories against Miami and Clemson.

Last night, Hess, Mike Eades, and Brian Dorsey added a new twist.

Prior to last night’s game against Florida State, Hansbrough had played in 123 NCAA basketball games. In those games, he attempted 1,527 free throws—12.4 per game.

In fact, he attempted a free throw in every in 121 of 123 games going into Wedneday night's game. Now credit FSU’s defense which is both big and excellent, but are we supposed to believe that suddenly, after 123 games, either Hansbrough or his defenders suddenly approached the game differently?

I think not.

The likelihood that Hansbrough would reach the foul line was also impacted by his lack of playing time—only 26 minutes. His playing time was limited due to three first-half fouls.

During those aforementioned 123 games, the "Poplar Bluff Flash" has committed a grand total of 304 personal fouls.

That’s 2.4 per game. In fact, Hansbrough has only fouled out once in his college career—March 9, 2007, against FSU.

Evidently, after 3.5 seasons of college hoops, Hansbrough suddenly got more aggressive and/or sloppy as well.

I missed the first foul, so I’ll take the pass on that one. The second one was questionable, and the third looked to be another close call. However, the game-winner was the fourth foul that had television announcer Tim Brando calling it a “phantom foul” after watching a replay. It wasn’t even a close call in tight quarters where mistakes are easier to make.

So, is it a conspiracy against Hansbrough?

No.

What appears to be happening is that ACC officials are letting big men beat and bang, ignoring the hard fouls while they quickly whistle touch fouls.

I’ve never understood this style of officiating.

No doubt some folks from Duke or Wake Forest can point to some smashmouth plays in the paint that failed to draw a whistle in their game last night.

Case in point: UNC’s long-armed freshman Ed Davis went to the basket hard for a dunk, and his shot was “blocked” cleanly according to Hess, Eades, and Dorsey.

This begs two questions. Can anybody block a 6’11” kid's dunk without touching his hand or arm? And what is the likelihood of stopping such a force without your body making contact with the other gigantic body coming your way at full speed?

We say, virtually no one can. Yes, It can be done, but it is one of the most acrobatic plays in basketball, and most 6’10” bigs simply aren’t that athletic or graceful. To suggest this amazing display of athletic skill happens three or four times a night is simply ridiculous—even in this day and age of amazing athletes.

On the other end of the court, Tarheel Danny Green stole the ball, drove to the basket, and scored on a layup.

The key basket late in the game ultimately allowed UNC to tie the score on a Green free throw.

The critical play was made possible by a “touch foul.” The Seminoles’ Derwin Kitchen “fouled” Green on his way to the basket.

But, actually, he didn’t. Several replays show Kitchen taking a swipe at Green—and by “swipe” we mean “swing and a miss”— that resulted in no discernible contact.

Whistle.

Foul.

Tie game with 1:12 left to play.

That inconsistency is what drives both UNC fans and anti-UNC fans crazy.

(Photos by ViewImages, AP Photo/Phil Coale, Phil Sears, and Glenn Beil/Tallahassee Democrat)