Clemson Sets NCAA Record for Futility, Officiating Takes the Spotlight (Updated 3:15 pm)

07-08 Basketball179

Preface – Poor Oliver Purnell. Now he knows how Rick Barnes felt. And, we just happen to have a great little reminder for him of how Frank Haith felt last year that you can see by clicking here.

We are updating what was once the ‘open entry’ for Sunday with more fallout from Sunday’s Clemson-Carolina basketball game.

I’ve been swamped with work and and just haven’t had any time to be focused on the blog…so, it wasn’t until I went home for lunch and heard everyone on sports radio talking about the officiating last night until I realized that it really wasn’t just me who saw what I thought I saw on Sunday night. (You know, sometimes I worry).

Until now, we had limited our quick comments on the officiating with just a few quick points, but in light of the reaction that is out there it is definitely worth elevating some things including Micky Plyler’s rant that can be seen here.

If you are tired of hearing about people bitching and moaning about the officiating from last night’s Clemson-North Carolina game then you probably need to stop reading now and get back to whatever you were doing.

Simply stated, Ted Valentine, Bernard Clinton, Tony Greene ought to be ashamed of themselves! They should return their paychecks from last night so they would not feel that guilty.

See, this should not be a surprise to anyone. It has happened for years and will continue to happen.

DUKE AND NORTH CAROLINA PLAYED HOME BASKETBALL GAMES THIS WEEKEND AND THE BLUE DEVILS AND TAR HEELS COMBINED TO SHOOT 69 FREE THROWS WHILE THEIR OPPONENTS SHOT 20. DUKE AND NORTH CAROLINA COMBINED TO MAKE 51 FREE THROWS AND THEIR OPPONENTS MADE 10.

The outcome has been pre-determined so why even make the trip. Here is my suggestion:

Since we know they won’t let us win, I ask, “Why even go up there?”

We had originally limited our comments to the following quick observations…but there is so much more!

Somehow UNC-CH can trap without fouling and Clemson cannot. Strange?! Must be the coaching!

UNC takes 36 free throw attempts
Clemson takes 7 free throw attempts

^ This DESPITE Clemson’s consistent attacking the basket with dribble penetration and balanced offense that didn’t ignore James Mays and the post.

What is sad is that we ALL knew it was going to happen. One of best friends is a Clemson graduate and he was at the game. With the Tigers lead around 10 points in the second half I sent him the following, “This is going to be even more painful. You know that the officials simply aren’t going to allow this, don’t you?”

I guess I just got lucky.

At least this time Tyler Hanbrough wasn’t allowed to basically tackle Clemson’s shooter on the final play of regulation like was allowed in LittleJohn earlier in the year.

Folks, what you saw last night was a CLASSIC example of why Rick Barnes no longer coaches at Clemson and left the ACC. Unfortunately, it is a no-win situation for most programs. A couple of other observations made by the SFN team of authors:

* In 50 minutes of play, Clemson got only 7 free throws versus 37 on the other side. In other words, about every one and one-third minute UNC was getting a free throw, and Clemson had to wait over 7 minutes for one.

* Not one player on UNC had more than three fouls including Hansbrough who played 47 minutes. Have you ever seen a double over time game when a team did not have a single player in foul trouble?

* I remarked to my wife last night that the ACC doesn’t even try to hide their bias any more — the foot-stop-and-kick “fast break” being the worst example we’ve faced this year. I find it harder and harder to watch any ACC contests the worse this gets.

* In the first half last night KC Rivers picked up two back to back tacky fouls – one on offense and one on defense. I immediately remarked to my wife that is the kind of little stuff that goes unnoticed and completely changes games especially in light of the amazing way that Tyler Hansbrough literally runs over people and ‘plays so physical’ and yet NEVER…I mean NEVER even remotely gets in foul trouble.

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07-08 Basketball

179 Responses to Clemson Sets NCAA Record for Futility, Officiating Takes the Spotlight (Updated 3:15 pm)

  1. Rick 02/11/2008 at 8:09 AM #

    “tonight’s game, after a clemson made basket, tyler swung an elbow at a Clemson player.”

    Not to mention the way he under cut Mays on that dunk. The announcers mention Mays limping then on the replay it shows why (the dirty play of traveler) and they changed he subject.

    That timeout, the foul bias, the bad calls were as bad as I have ever seen. That game was literally stolen from them.

    Traveler plays 47 minutes and only gets three fouls.Booker plays 27 minutes and fouls out.
    31 fouls for Clemson vs 14 for UNC (while they were trying to come from behind (ignore the obvious pun).

    Not ONE player from UNC has more than three fouls. Not ONE. Have you ever seen a double overtime game when a team did not have a single player in foul trouble? EVER?

    4 of Clemson’s 5 started had 4 or more fouls.

    On a sidenote: why are tehy showing Travler’s inbred father all the time? Ugh at least Washington’s mother is half way decent looking.

  2. choppack1 02/11/2008 at 8:14 AM #

    Rick – we saw the double standard at work plenty there. The one place they were consistent – they seemed to allow a good bit of contact on the post.

    However, the foul that put QT on the line late in the first OT was VERY suspect. If you are going to call handchecks, Hansboro should be fouled out real early. And yes, it’s amazing that a team can play a 50 minute b’ball game and not have anyone w/ more than 3 fouls…only in Durham or Chapel Hill.

  3. Pack92 02/11/2008 at 8:23 AM #

    ^Sweetjumper, that’s how they roll. If they win they are the loudest and want everyone to know it. If they lose, you’ve never seen a more quiet bunch of lizards slinking back to their holes hoping no one sees their Wal-Mart special shirts.

    And we thought we were frustrated. At least we do hit free throws for the most part. Of course, we’re usually down by 10-20 pts in the 2nd half so it’s a moot point.

  4. Ed89 02/11/2008 at 8:28 AM #

    WolfontheHill, sorry i misinterpreted your post. Sweetjumper, you are right on about the typical unc fan.

  5. smile102 02/11/2008 at 9:57 AM #

    Sweet jumper: “Typical Wal-Mart Hole fans.”

    Please explain this analogy to me. UNC fans are arrogant, have a false sense of superiority, white collar professionals, upper middle class demographic.
    WalMart customers are uneducated, rural, blue collar jobs, lower income.

    What is the association and why do you see it as demeaning to call someone a WalMart shopper? It appears you are the one who is grossly arrogant and insensitive, demeaning of our weakest people to use them as a slur.

    If I’m missing something here, educate me.

  6. Pack92 02/11/2008 at 10:22 AM #

    Let me help you out smiley. unx fans are NOT white collar professionals for the most part. Though they do exist the vast majority are suckers who have fallen for the mass-marketing program so readily available through the media to target those poor souls who will soon be free of their money anyway. Imagine that from a school that has a marketing and journalism emphasis. I will agree very few of those ever make it in the dumb dome. Think I’m full of it? Go anywhere in the US (and I do) and you will find the uneducated line worker who will be wearing a pansy blue hat or shirt. When you ask them why the answer is invariably “I don’t know, aren’t they good or something”? Just the opposite is true for people wearing the red and white. Most people just don’t wear it for the heck of it. They are alumni or the family thereof in the vast majority of cases. The “Wal-Mart” stereotype may not be fair to Wal -Mart specifically but go in their stores and see just how much light blue crap they stock and if you watch it all goes on discount. Hence the term “Wal-Mart discount fan”. As the #1 retailer in the US maybe it is fair to use them in such a derogatory manner.

    Before you ask, no, I do not darken the doors of Wal-Mart. Ever. And I am a 100% ABC fan no matter who they play in any sport.

  7. Pack92 02/11/2008 at 10:27 AM #

    Almost forgot, the best way to deal with the above mentioned unx “FAN” is just to ask if they went to the hole. When they answer “no” just disregard them. I have had that work to absolute perfection in pissing off unx “FANS”.
    The justifications for their allegiance will become hilarious before they get finished.

  8. Wolfpacker15 02/11/2008 at 10:50 AM #

    I agree wholeheartedly, Pack92. There is a distinct difference in categorizing UNC “fans” with UNC graduates. While they both claim to pull for UNC, there is the small group who has direct ties whether by being alumni or having family who went to Carolina; and then you have the huge bandwagon. The Carolina bandwagon is the most visible and annoying element of UNC that has been given the status of being Walmart fans. There are no ties or relations to the school at all; heck most of these people would be scoffed at if they even stepped foot on campus at Chapel Hill. That is perhaps the most ironic part of this fan dicotomy- the actual grads probably would never be caught dead with the Walmart fan masses that popularize this school so much.

  9. PAPacker 02/11/2008 at 10:50 AM #

    Pack92,

    That is an illegitimate ploy. My dad attended State, was a wolfpack club member for about 30 years before his death, I began pulling for State at age 3, attended virtually every home and many away football games between 1972-1987,(I was in China in 1988 and had the games videotaped and mailed to me and listened to a few live over armed forces radio) 1989-1996, my father was a county wolfpack club chair, I assisted him with it for 20 some odd years, stood up to Duke and Carolina blue kids for decades. State did not offer my major so I went elsewhere. There are also a whole lot of North Carolina people who were not able to get an education beyond high school who are some of the most devout, committed, long-term (I go back 42 years) State fans. There are also many State alums and current students who could not give a flip. I understand your problems with the crowd who come out of the woodwork when UNX wins but don’t pull the “you didn’t go there thing” because that cuts both ways.

  10. PAPacker 02/11/2008 at 10:50 AM #

    Pack92,

    That is an illegitimate ploy. My dad attended State, was a wolfpack club member for about 30 years before his death, I began pulling for State at age 3, attended virtually every home and many away football games between 1972-1987,(I was in China in 1988 and had the games videotaped and mailed to me and listened to a few live over armed forces radio) 1989-1996, my father was a county wolfpack club chair, I assisted him with it for 20 some odd years, stood up to Duke and Carolina blue kids for decades. State did not offer my major so I went elsewhere. There are also a whole lot of North Carolina people who were not able to get an education beyond high school who are some of the most devout, committed, long-term (I go back 42 years) State fans. There are also many State alums and current students who could not give a flip. I understand your problems with the crowd who come out of the woodwork when UNX wins but don’t pull the “you didn’t go there thing” because that cuts both ways.

  11. PAPacker 02/11/2008 at 10:51 AM #

    Sorry for the double post, I just hit the button once.

  12. Howling4thepack 02/11/2008 at 10:58 AM #

    92,

    There are hundreds of Pack fans working at a local hospital just down the road from Carter-Finley. Most of those folks are housekeeping, facilities and patient tech people. I doubt most of them have ever taken a college class, but I consider them Pack fans as well.

  13. Pack92 02/11/2008 at 11:04 AM #

    Sure it cuts both ways and I stand by the comments regarding viewing unx crap anywhere you go in the US. Try finding NC State ANYTHING in the back woods of Wisconsin, Oregon or MS.
    If you read the post you are covered as you mention about your Dad and I did speak to family ties. The devout fans you speak of, at least in NC, who did not attend NC State were probably helped at some point by one of the many industry extension programs. Forestry, crop science, animal science and now the bio-tech industries all have benfitted from hands-on NC State guidance. I personally know many people that fall into this category. We try to help the industries instead of making the people of the state pay more for it.
    Why exactly do you care what NC State people think about Wal-Mart unx fans again?

  14. beowolf 02/11/2008 at 11:34 AM #

    I think it’s the “come out of the woodwork” aspect of the Wal-Mart heel fan that is the problem, not whether someone attended the school. Only a small percentage of North Carolinians are going to attend either university. Regardless of whether you attended NC State, if you’ve stuck by and suffered with the ‘Pack over the past few too many years, you’re not going to take kindly to someone lording over you with UNC crap when that person was seemingly not a sports fan, let alone a Carolina fan, after a certain football game (or games) this fall.

  15. El_Duderino 02/11/2008 at 11:43 AM #

    Just want to add my 2 cents. I agree with Pack 92. I grew up on a dairy farm. My family – while not alumni – did have contact with the ag extension program. That’s why I grew up a pack fan. At least it’s something. Not the “they always win” reason which I have heard several times.

    One more story. My old job took me to Ireland a couple of times. One day, I was strolling down main street of Waterford Ireland and I walked by a sports store. I saw a &*^$%%^& UNX shirt in the window. I walked in … they had a whole wall of UNX merchandise. The girl working there said it was just the style. Had no idea what it was. Gotta hand it to the holes. They do know how to market.

  16. PAPacker 02/11/2008 at 12:21 PM #

    Pack 92, my point still stands, there is no necessary connection between what school you do or don’t attend and where your loyalties lie or should like, as your post argues. You were tarring a lot of people with a pretty big brush. Nuff said.

  17. PacknSack 02/11/2008 at 12:23 PM #

    Mention Hansbrough’s flopping to a Carolina fan and I invariably get “he doesn’t flop, now those damn dookies …” But it remains a mystery how someone who is 6-9 and 260-pounds-or-so is so easily knocked off his pins on defense. Yet he gets hit in the nose so hard it breaks, and that doesn’t drop him.

  18. Wulfpack 02/11/2008 at 12:27 PM #

    “UNC fans are arrogant, have a false sense of superiority, white collar professionals, upper middle class demographic.”

    Arrogant, yes. But not white collar. The elitist ones are the ones you see in the Dean Dome b/c they can fork it out. But there is a whole other side of UNC fans. How many rednecks do you see sporting Carolina gear? In my family, all of them. Or, go to the inner city and see how many UNC jerseys/baby blue jump suits you find.

    They are UNC fans b/c they are in love with stardom. That’s all that they know, or are shown. MJ, Worthy, Vince, etc. etc. It has very little to socioeconomic demographics and a whole lot more to do with the stars the school has produced, and marketed.

  19. Ed89 02/11/2008 at 12:52 PM #

    i find it funny Smiley102 took offense to the Walmart fan analogy as a stereotype of carolina fans, and then goes on to write, “WalMart customers are uneducated, rural, blue collar jobs, lower income.” that sure isn’t a stereotype, is it? it just was funny to me…

    to add to that, i know someone who loves to wear carolina stuff all the time, considers himself a huge fan, blah, blah…i asked him who the coach was, and he said, uh..dean smith, right? i’m serious! the ‘fan’ was a teenager, but you get the point.

  20. Rick 02/11/2008 at 1:03 PM #

    The ACC just issued a press release because of inquiries into the game.

    “The ACC has reviewed the game that took place between the Universtiy of North Carolina and Clemson University on February 10, 2008. The head of officials conducted a thourough investigation of all referee calls during the noted game. After much deliberation the league has come to the following conclusions. 1) There was a large disparity between the fouls called against the players of Clemson University and the University of North Carolina. 2) There was an obvious attempt by the game officials to keep the poor free throw shooting Tigers off the free throw line. Because it did not effect the eventual (and inevitable) outcome of the game, the ACC has recommended that no tournament or recruiting penalties be levied against the University of Clemson.”

    In response to the press release UNC officials responded that while they “understood the desire to stop the greatest winning streak in the history of college if not all sports”, they were “concerned by the blantant effort of the officials”. They have withdrawn their complaints as they believe their former Atheletic Director has everything “under control”.

  21. Tar Heel Fan 02/11/2008 at 1:25 PM #

    I realize I am stepping into a hostile environment here and feel free to shred me when I am done but I would point out a few things.

    1. The reason Clemson was not getting fouled was because UNC was not playing any freaking defense. They got a lot of uncontested shots and at one point Hammonds drove right down the middle of the lane past five Tar Heels, got a layup and was actually fouled on that play.

    2. Clemson is 11th in the ACC in FTA ahead of only Wake by 15 and Wake has one less game played. Clemson does not tend to make a lot of trips to the foul line and the reason is because they suck at shooting FTs. Hammonds shoots better from anywhere else on the floor than he does from the FT line. It behooves him to avoid contact at all costs.

    3. Clemson was up 14 with UNC already enjoying a +15 advantage in FTM. Clemson did not lose that game down the stretch because they missed FTs or UNC made bunches of them, they lost because they wet the bed on offense and let UNC hit shots on the other end.

    4. UNC leads the ACC in FTA. NCSU is second and Duke third. Also, UNC averages 27.1 FTA per game, their opponents 15.3. NCSU averages 24.6 FTA per game, their opponents 13.8. Not much difference there and in fact NCSU opponents see the line less than UNC opponents do.

    5. And I understand your mentality here. I do the same thing when I watch Duke play. 😉

  22. highonlowe 02/11/2008 at 1:39 PM #

    As a percentage of total points, States leads the ACC (and the nation, actually) in free throw rate. Though I’m unsure if this supports or migitates the argument here.

    THF, I understand your enabler mentality. I do the same thing when I watch State play.

  23. Rick 02/11/2008 at 1:50 PM #

    “Clemson was up 14 with UNC already enjoying a +15 advantage in FTM. Clemson did not lose that game down the stretch because they missed FTs or UNC made bunches of them, they lost because they wet the bed on offense and let UNC hit shots on the other end.”

    Maybe, just maybe that could be because UNC was allowed to push, hand check and shove on defense while Clemson (with 4 starters with 4 or more fouls) was unable to play any defense without a foul being called.

    Answer this question, haev you ever seen a DOUBLE OT game where a team does not have a SINGLE player in foul trouble? EVER?

  24. Pack92 02/11/2008 at 2:08 PM #

    el duderino, I have seen the exact same thing in downtown Stockholm, Sweden. You will never hear me say the holes don’t know how to market successfully.

    PAPacker, the only point I was making is that the majority of unx-attire wearing people don’t even know where chapel hole NC is located. Wolfpacker15 said it much better than I did. The only brush I painted with was covering unx “fans” with red paint. Sorry if that offends you.

  25. Tar Heel Fan 02/11/2008 at 2:41 PM #

    Define foul trouble. I define it as three or more fouls which in this case would mean UNC had two players in foul trouble. Aside from that when Clemson and FSU played 2OT earlier this, Clemson committed 22 fouls and FSU 19 for a total of 41. No one in that game fouled out and two players on each side ended up with four fouls apiece.

    On the season Clemson average 19 fouls per game so based on stats, you might have a case that perhaps they were quick on the whistle with the Tigers. However, Clemson opponents average 17 fouls per game which is only three more than the 14 UNC committed. As a rule, Clemson simply does not get fouled a lot probably because it is counterproductive to their offense since they are a bad FT shooting team.

    The problem with this is unless you have reviewed every single call in slow motion this kind of discussion is perception based. As I said I do the same thing with Duke games. I look at the stat sheet and see Duke had 28 more FTA than their opponent and assume Duke got favorable calls but without seeing the game or dissecting every play I have no evidence of that. Take for example the NCSU-VT game. VT had 21 fouls, NCSU had 15 but the Pack had a 30-10 advantage in FTA. Can we assume that NCSU got favorable officiating at RBC that night? Or can we assume the style of play NCSU uses with drives inside and JJ Hickson in the middle invites more fouls? I tend to think it is the latter.

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