Cal vs. Officials

[GoToTexas]

Currently listening to the Alan Cutler show (I know I know, I’ve got nothing better to listen to) and @Jeff Drummond is on here with some veeeeeery interesting comments about Cal’s behavior during the K State game.

He’s basically saying that Cal was a completely different person during the Providence game vs. the K State game. Said Cal showed up to the providence game and was as loose as could be and said he doesn’t remember Cal arguing one call.

Fast forward to the K State game and señor JDrum said Cal came to the arena with a chip on his shoulder and 100% ready for a feud with Higgins’ buddy. He said it was so bad that he felt both would take their eyes off the action multiple times, for several minutes at a time, just to stare each other down and argue. He also said Cal was so obsessed with it that he would berate this official even when another official would make a call in Kentucky’s favor and ask him why he didn’t make the call.

What in the actual F is this dudes problem???? Reminds me of Drew Franklin talking about his antics during the Saint Peters game last year. He said that Cal was so worried about the officials and screaming literally non stop that he felt he wasn’t even paying attention to what was going on on the floor.

This is psychotic behavior and why would any coach at any level think this is productive and helps their team in any way?

 

[bookerfan66]

That bald official is corrupt.It was obvious.

 

[GoToTexas]

That bald official is corrupt.It was obvious.

Drummond’s comments made it make sense. He’s not corrupt, he and Cal simply hate each other and it’s personal. As if his lack of coaching skills weren’t enough to put us in a bind, throw in the fact that he seeks out feuds with officials and literally berates them the entire game like a psycho and you have what we’ve been witnessing the past 8 years.

 

[Catman100]

I have been saying for years, there are too many refs that hate Cal, or are buddies with another ref that hates Cal, for Cal to win another natty here.

No way he can get a clean whistle for 6 games in March.
It will never happen.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

UK is caught in the crossfire here. There are enough obvious alliances with refs taking up for buddies who have been wronged. I can only imagine how many are out there that sympathize but are not so obvious about it. Cal hs pissed in his own drinking well.

 

[jessieshorts8]

I'm as down on Cal as anyone but if the refs make it personal they should be out of a job.

 

[Bkocats]

Yet another reason…

 

[Bkocats]

I'm as down on Cal as anyone but if the refs make it personal they should be out of a job.

Absolutely they should. But that won’t happen
The coach makes it personal as well

 

[Jont0805]

Drummond’s comments made it make sense. He’s not corrupt, he and Cal simply hate each other and it’s personal. As if his lack of coaching skills weren’t enough to put us in a bind, throw in the fact that he seeks out feuds with officials and literally berates them the entire game like a psycho and you have what we’ve been witnessing the past 8 years.

If your job is to be a referee than yes it is corrupt if you let your hate affect your calling of a game. Basketball is just too many calls that could go either way for it to ever be proven though.

I understand your frustration with Cal and I agree he can leave and never come back for all I care, but the whole premise of this is put into question when you consider saint kzyerwzddeaski or however you spell it.

Duke would get the most friendly whistle and the best draw every time and K was relentless in his official talking/arguing.

 

[GoToTexas]

If your job is to be a referee than yes it is corrupt if you let your hate affect your calling of a game. Basketball is just too many calls that could go either way for it to ever be proven though.

I understand your frustration with Cal and I agree he can leave and never come back for all I care, but the whole premise of this is put into question when you consider saint kzyerwzddeaski or however you spell it.

Duke would get the most friendly whistle and the best draw every time and K was relentless in his official talking/arguing.

I hear ya. My only response would be I always felt like those same officials still liked/respected K when they were outside the lines. I get the feeling the hatred with Cal is genuine and extends to off the court as well.

 

[Jont0805]

I hear ya. My only response would be I always felt like those same officials still liked/respected K when they were outside the lines. I get the feeling the hatred with Cal is genuine and on plus off the court.

Yeah something about Cal just people have always hated, fair or not. And K, Roy Williams, Dean smith and John wooden. Some of the most corrupt coaches of all time are saints.

I honestly think it all comes down to Vegas in just about every sport. Every once in a while things happen that Vegas can’t control,

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

UK is caught in the crossfire here. There are enough obvious alliances with refs taking up for buddies who have been wronged. I can only imagine how many are out there that sympathize but are not so obvious about it. Cal hs pissed in his own drinking well.

Yeah.
But also, we BBN, not anyone on this board I'm sure, maybe even just a select few fans, did not do our team any favors by harassing the Rooferee (Higgins) after the 17 UK/UNC game, which probably created a good bit of resentment to our program by a lot of refs, especially his friends.

 

[GoToTexas]

Yeah something about Cal just people have always hated, fair or not. And K, Roy Williams, Dean smith and John wooden. Some of the most corrupt coaches of all time are saints.

I honestly think it all comes down to Vegas in just about every sport. Every once in a while things happen that Vegas can’t control,

I’ll add one more thing. Drummond is a lot closer and sees a lot more than any of us so I’ll take his word on it when he said Cal showed up to the arena ready to do battle with said official. I highly doubt K ever came to the arena to do anything other than win the game at hand.

 

[TortElvisII]

It's real.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

It was obvious from the jump that ref was going all in on Cal. Cal obviously knew this was going to be the case, and started early on him as well. Doesn’t do Kentucky Basketball any good though. These two have history, and it is what it is. Cal probably knew he wouldn’t get some calls and just came in pissed just knowing he was calling the game. Again, this is why I say we will never get a good whistle (or even a fair whistle) long enough to win another title with Cal. He made this bed himself. Too many really questionable calls to ignore it with KState. And other two refs were just hopping in to support their buddy in second half. Go reread the article where Higgins buddy says he talked to the other two refs at halftime to make sure they were supporting him. Terrible.

 

[kygentlemen]

How about these refs get some accountability? I understand they are 1099s and have another job in the off-season, but the screening process for them to officiate games is non-existent and allows for bias to take over a game whether it be good or bad. The ref from Cynthiana is unable to officiate Kentucky games because he is allegedly a fan, yet the exact opposite scenario can occur for our games where we get paired with refs who have a gripe with Cal?

I understand Cal should cool it on the refs, but it’s a two-way street. Both sides need to grow up and just do their job at a high level.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Pretty sure the dude in question is a full time ref.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

I don't think the officiating cost UK the game -- that came down to KSU hitting huge shots and UK missing them when they mattered most -- but the Cats were not going to get the benefit of the doubt in that one due to the self-inflicted damage that Cal caused himself by fighting with Pollard from basically opening tip to final horn.

 

[FinnaGoHAM]

It was obvious from the jump that ref was going all in on Cal. Cal obviously knew this was going to be the case, and started early on him as well. Doesn’t do Kentucky Basketball any good though. These two have history, and it is what it is. Cal probably knew he wouldn’t get some calls and just came in pissed just knowing he was calling the game. Again, this is why I say we will never get a good whistle (or even a fair whistle) long enough to win another title with Cal. He made this bed himself. Too many really questionable calls to ignore it with KState. And other two refs were just hopping in to support their buddy in second half. Go reread the article where Higgins buddy says he talked to the other two refs at halftime to make sure they were supporting him. Terrible.

Let's see a link on this article, please.

 

[saxonburgcat]

How about these refs get some accountability? I understand they are 1099s and have another job in the off-season, but the screening process for them to officiate games is non-existent and allows for bias to take over a game whether it be good or bad. The ref from Cynthiana is unable to officiate Kentucky games because he is allegedly a fan, yet the exact opposite scenario can occur for our games where we get paired with refs who have a gripe with Cal?

I understand Cal should cool it on the refs, but it’s a two-way street. Both sides need to grow up and just do their job at a high level.

A lot of these refs are making 6 figures doing these games and I learned that a number of years ago. They are probably making more now.

 

[FinnaGoHAM]

A lot of these refs are making 6 figures doing these games and I learned that a number of years ago. They are probably making more now.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/heres-how-much-referees-are-paid-during-march-madness

EDIT: That's just March Madness, though. Keep in mind they can work several nights a week and their expenses are paid for.

 

[saxonburgcat]

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/heres-how-much-referees-are-paid-during-march-madness

Another way of looking at it....(Some of these refs are doing multiple games every week. It can add up.)

"The top officials in the bigger conferences like the SEC, ACC and Big Ten can be paid as much as $2,000 per game, but that number dwindles in smaller conference games. The refs making the most likely have decades of experience under their belts, too."

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

I don't think the officiating cost UK the game -- that came down to KSU hitting huge shots and UK missing them when they mattered most -- but the Cats were not going to get the benefit of the doubt in that one due to the self-inflicted damage that Cal caused himself by fighting with Pollard from basically opening tip to final horn.

Part of coaching is sucking it up, being the bigger man, whatever you want to call it, just doing what you got to do (w/in the rules) to help or at least not hurt your team's chances. If he knew there was an issue, he should have walked right up to Pollard before the game, shook his hand, and said "I know we've had some difficulties in the past, and I'll take blame for part of that. But I know you are a good and fair referee, and will treat these kids on both teams fairly."

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

I'm as down on Cal as anyone but if the refs make it personal they should be out of a job.

Cal made it personal. Go back and watch the first five minutes of the game. Just watch Cal. Nothing else.

That ref is corrupt and an ahole who has an axe to grind with Cal going back to Cal's UMass days.

You don't poke a dude who is looking for an excuse to ram one up your rear end.

Cal dropped his pants and showed him (and everyone in the arena) his rear end, and the ref stuck it to him. Unfortunately, it did nothing to hurt the ref but hurt our team instead.

Someone needs to tell Cal to chill TFO in some of these games. He is hurting his own team.

The ref always has the last say. He has the whistle.

 

[HalHR2500]

Calipari is absolutely HATED by the officials...It's obvious.

He acts like a 15yo smart *** on the bench, chirping, staring, mocking, smart-*** comments, anybody courtside finds him highly annoying.

Get this tired act out of here

 

[AGEE11]

I have been saying for years, there are too many refs that hate Cal, or are buddies with another ref that hates Cal, for Cal to win another natty here.

No way he can get a clean whistle for 6 games in March.
It will never happen.

I agree, 2017 and 2019 showed that

 

[AGEE11]

What I don't get is if Cal knew it was coming, came ready for the fight, and acted like he did...

Why didn't he call the corrupt punk out after the game? You make $9 million a year. Take the fine and put them on BLAST. Show the picture of the phantom foul on Toppin, the hack on Wallace late, the crap "shooting" foul. Print the article and hand it to every media member where he says he is good friends with the Roofer Pooper.

If you're going to act so bad towards him in the game that it hurts us, at least go after him in your post game. Let the world know he hates you and it affected his ability to call the game fairly and his partners in crime

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Let's see a link on this article, please.

Veteran referees like Gerry Pollard miss the NCAA tournament too — for more than one reason

Gerry Pollard was poised to officiate in his 18th consecutive NCAA tournament. He'll miss out on the experience — and up to $20,000 in earnings.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

20+ year police officer isn't going to take Cal's bullsh*t behavior.

 

[dynastydreamuk]

worth repeating !

I have been saying for years, there are too many refs that hate Cal, or are buddies with another ref that hates Cal, for Cal to win another natty here.

No way he can get a clean whistle for 6 games in March.
It will never happen.

 

[Indymycats]

Yes the bald ref clearly had it out for Cal. I caught him several times not even wathcing the game after a call but looking right at Cal. I’m shocked actually he did not T Cal up. He was obviously looking to. Cals antics with several referees good or bad warranted or not have cost us more than one game. Some of them very big games unfortunately. The UNC game with Monk and the Wisconsin game are two very real and disgusting examples. Several refs straight up hate Cal and will not call an even game because of it. Seems to be a new one every year. This year its baldy and his alliance to Higgins and Oglesbey.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Yes the bald ref clearly had it out for Cal. I caught him several times not even wathcing the game after a call but looking right at Cal. I’m shocked actually he did not T Cal up. He was obviously looking to. Cals antics with several referees good or bad warranted or not have cost us more than one game. Some of them very big games unfortunately. The UNC game with Monk and the Wisconsin game are two very real and disgusting examples. Several refs straight up hate Cal and will not call an even game because of it. Seems to be a new one every year. This year its baldy and his alliance to Higgins and Oglesbey.

Nothing wrong w/ being bald, bro. Let that part of your hatred towards the man go. Thanks in advance.

 

[AIChatGPT]

If you can stomach it, go back and check out all the foul calls on Toppin.

They are just about all really bad calls or judgment calls.

 

[GoToTexas]

Billy(Benny?) Joe Wildcat is getting to the bottom of this dammit. We’ve been accused of “blaming the refs” so many times and it appears we have been correct the entire time!! The catch? It’s our own damn coach’s fault as he requests it

Get


Him


Out

 

[Indymycats]

Nothing wrong w/ being bald, bro. Let that part of your hatred towards the man go. Thanks in advance.

Not sure if serious. I don’t hate that hes bald. I disliked that his calls sucked and he clearly had it out for Cal.

 

[jessieshorts8]

20+ year police officer isn't going to take Cal's bullsh*t behavior.

Being a police officer makes it okay not to do his job I guess.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

If your job is to be a referee than yes it is corrupt if you let your hate affect your calling of a game. Basketball is just too many calls that could go either way for it to ever be proven though.

I understand your frustration with Cal and I agree he can leave and never come back for all I care, but the whole premise of this is put into question when you consider saint kzyerwzddeaski or however you spell it.

Duke would get the most friendly whistle and the best draw every time and K was relentless in his official talking/arguing.

The University has enough power to put the pressure on these NCAA tournament officials. Kentucky is a big player in college basketball. It's time for the Athletic department to reach out to their leadership and demand accountability. This may have something to do with Duke not having these issues.

 

[Jont0805]

The University has enough power to put the pressure on these NCAA tournament officials. Kentucky is a big player in college basketball. It's time for the Athletic department to reach out to their leadership and demand accountability. This may have something to do with Duke not having these issues.

Yeah but also look at what everyone on espn was saying after the duke Tenn game.

Said it wasn’t even real basketball and that Tennessee got away with everything.

Same administration, just not coach K on the sidelines.

How you get the favor of those making the decisions is beyond my understanding.

 

[mcnicKY91]

College refs (football or basketball) suck in general...

Let's be honest, if Reeves doesn't poop his pants and plays even 10% better, UK wins. If he plays even 30% better, UK wins comfortably. Cal does himself no favors with the refs, but I ain't attributing this loss to poor calls (which there were plenty of).

 

[Wildcat Sheli]

Here’s a couple Threads that specifically discussed Sunday’s situation between Calipari and referee Gerry Pollard:

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/today’s-referee-gerry-pollard-is-higgins’-close-friend.389751/

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/game-changing-calls.389934/

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/do-the-refs-work-for-nowell.389671/

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/the-officials-stole-this-one.389720/

In the referenced USA Today article https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...aa-tournament-experience-earnings/2866747001/ he mentions a confrontation with Calipari back in his Memphis days. It also calls Pollard a “close friend of John Higgins.” I cannot see where it’s ethical to allow a referee who has spoken negatively about a coach to the media to officiate that coach’s team. It just doesn’t seem right. In the first Thread above, 2 media personalities noted the stares Pollard was giving Cal. It was too big of a game for that kind of behavior.

Also see this Thread: https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/refs-for-tomorrows-game.389240/
There’s some Higgins’ quotes that I find very inappropriate. In one quote, he lists Huggins and Cal “ranking as on his all-time list of ill-tempered, bad-act coaches.” Then, he’s asked which coaches were “good” and he lists Coach K and Jay Wright. Interesting that he officiated title-winning games for both of them. It definitely seems that a team gets a fairer whistle when the referee and coach like one another.