Referee Comparison by School

Earlier I looked at how the ACC referees called ACC compared to other conferences. Now I would like to look at how the referees call games within the conference. I compiled some statistics that I would like to share. Here is my attempt at a chart to make it easier to see.

A few things I noticed:
1) UNC is called for fewer fouls than any other team (something we are all aware of) but more importantly look at the number of fouls called per possession. UNC is only called for a foul every 5 trips down the court. Everyone else in the ACC is called at least once for every 4 possessions. That is some really good coaching by Roy.
2) There are two schools who lead the ACC in fouls committed by their opponent, Duke and UNC.
3) 34.3% of Duke’s shots are three point shots, the most in the ACC.
4) The only other two schools to shot over 30% of their shots from three are BC and Miami. Both teams draw 4 or more fewer fouls per game than Duke and are at the bottom of the fouls drawn category.
5) UNC shoots the fewest three point shorts per game and is second in the number of fouls they draw from their opponents.
6) NCSU is second in fewest three point shots but is 8th in number of fouls by opponent.
7) Wake is near the top in the fouls committed by opponent category.

Conclusions:
1) The head of the ACC referees’ self fulfilling prophecy that UNC does not commit fouls was, well, self fulfilling.
2) Duke is the only team in the conference who can continuously hoist threes and still draw fouls.
3) NCSU does not get many foul calls for it even though their offense is based on 2 point shots while UNC can.

Someone requested a comparison of FTs. Here are the FTs for ACC games only.

FTR is free throw rate which is FTA/FGA
A few things I notices from this chart:
1) UNC is plus 5.1 points per game from the FT line. Duke is +3 and NCSU is +1.5
2) UNC’s opponent FTR is almost half of FSU
3) The only other team with a positive FT point is Wake Forest. Go figure.

About Rick

1992 and 2002 graduate from NCSU. Born and raised an NCSU fan. I remember the good ol' days and they weren't in the last 20 years.

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54 Responses to Referee Comparison by School

  1. MrWolf 03/15/2012 at 12:13 AM #

    Better players will play better D. Better players will get fouled more often. Better coached teams will play more fundamental defense that will help keep them out of foul trouble. There is a reason Roy and K have won a buttload of games, they are good coaches.

    Here are a couple of questions for you:

    1) How do you account for end game fouls where the better team is being fouled in an attempted come back by the losing team?
    2) How do you account for the fact that better teams rarely have to foul heavily at the end of games because they are already winning?
    3) How do you account for offenses like UNC that constantly attack the rim or like Duke that rely on dribble drive? Those offenses will draw more fouls.

    Honestly, this is a total waste of data/time. The reality is that better teams will get fouled more and will commit fewer fouls in general. There are a lot of reasons this will happen and most of them have nothing to do with bias.

  2. Rick 03/15/2012 at 7:11 AM #

    Troll alert.
    Anyone that can read all of the data and evidence provided and come to that conclusion is either stupid or has an agenda. I think you are a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

  3. Mike 03/15/2012 at 3:06 PM #

    Troll noted Rick and I should not feed the trolls……

    So Mr. Wolf, in theory you may have a valid point #3. But look at the numbers – the teams that take more 3’s – traditional jump shooting teams draw fewer fouls according to the numbers. Yet Duke is #1 in fouls drawn and #1 in 3 pt shots attempted. On the flip side, the Pack is low on 3 pt attempts and on fouls drawn. Explain that.

    Referees are humans and humans make mistakes. Humans also have subconscious biases and prejudices. YOu better believe those come out when calling a game. No official wants Coack K screaming down their throat and it does affect the calls.

    One more point to note – If Roy is such a good coach and teaches his players not to foul, why do the stats when he was at Kansas not play out as well?

  4. choppack1 03/15/2012 at 7:46 PM #

    Don’t count on Mr wolf for answers. I doubt he gives these matters much thought.

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