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Post by russ on Mar 14, 2023 21:33:55 GMT -5
This is the thread for all NCAA Tournament Assignments as well as detailing changes between last year and this year. With a new Coordinator of Officials Chris Rastatter it will be interesting to see what changes, if any, there are. I will warn you guys that I will be out of town during the first couple of days of the tournament. I will still update the Assignments it just might not be as timely as usual.
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Post by russ on Mar 15, 2023 2:37:06 GMT -5
*- First Tournament Game **- Returning to Tournament after not working last year
First Four
3/14
(16) Southeast Missouri State vs. (16) Texas A&M Corpus Christi: Bert Smith (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Bart Lenox (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 Alfred Smith (MAC, Summit, Horizon); Last Season: Nothing**
(11) Pitt vs (11) Mississippi State: Kipp Kissinger (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Elite 8 Tommy Nunez Jr. (MWC, Pac-12, Big West); Last Season: Round of 64 Bharat Ramnanan (Sun Belt, AAC, SWAC); Last Season: Nothing*
3/15
(16) Fairleigh Dickinson vs. (16) Texas Southern: Larry Scirotto (Big Ten, Pac-12, MAC); Last Season: Elite 8 Bret Smith (Big 12, MVC, OVC); Last Season: Round of 64 Tim Smith (MAAC, CAA, Ivy); Last Season: Nothing*
(11) Nevada vs. (11) Arizona State: Doug Shows (SEC, ACC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Deldre Carr (Pac-12, MWC, Big West); Last Season: Round of 64 Lucas Santos (SWAC, Sun Belt, SEC); Last Season: Nothing*
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Post by BkSl14812 on Mar 16, 2023 10:42:21 GMT -5
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Post by FredFan7 on Mar 16, 2023 14:04:23 GMT -5
Lots of people hate him, but Valentine is a good referee.
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 2:53:58 GMT -5
*- First Tournament Game **- Returning to Tournament after not working last year
Thursday Round of 64 Games
Birmingham
(9) West Virginia vs (8) Maryland: Ron Groover (ACC, Big East, Big 12 ); Last Season: National Championship Darron George (C-USA, Big 12, MVC); Last Season: Round of 64 Edwin Young (Horizon, Big Ten, A10); Last Season: Round of 64
(16) Texas A&M Corpus Christi vs (1) Alabama: Verne Harris (Pac-12, MWC, WCC); Last Season: Elite 8 Larry Spaulding (MWC, Pac-12, C-USA); Last Season: Round of 64 Rick Crawford (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Round of 64
(9) Auburn vs (8) Iowa: Pat Driscoll (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Bill Covington Jr. (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 32 Bart Lenox (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64
(16) Northern Kentucky vs (1) Houston: Terry Oglesby (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: National Championship Randy Heimerman (Pac-12, MVC, MWC); Last Season: Nothing** Brandon Cruz (Patriot, Big Ten, NEC); Last Season: Round of 64
Orlando
(13) Furman vs (4) Virginia: Michael Greenstein (Pac-12, Big 12, MWC); Last Season: Round of 32 Dwayne Gladden (A-10, Patriot, MEAC); Last Season: Nothing** Jerry Heater (A-10, ACC, CAA); Last Season: Round of 64
(12) College of Charleston vs (5) San Diego State: Kipp Kissinger (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Elite 8 A.J. Desai (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 32 Todd Austin (SEC. AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64
(12) Oral Roberts vs (5) Duke: Mike Reed (Pac-12, MWC, Big Sky); Last Season: Elite 8 Tony Chiazza (Big East, MAAC, A-10); Last Season: Round of 32 Steve McJunkins (Horizon, MAC, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64
(13) Louisiana vs (4) Tennessee: Pat Adams (SEC, AAC, Big 12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Justin Porterfield (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 64 Jason Baker (SEC, Sun Belt, A-Sun); Last Season: First 4
Sacramento
(10) Utah State vs (7) Missouri: Earl Walton (Big East, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8 Tommy Nunez Jr. (MWC, Pac-12, Big West); Last Season: Round of 64 Tommy Morrissey (ACC, MAAC, Big East); Last Season: Round of 64
(15) Princeton vs (2) Arizona: Brian O'Connell (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Round of 32 Kevin Brill (MWC, Pac-12, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64 Rob Rorke (SEC, Sun Belt, AAC); Last Season: First 4
(10) Boise State vs (7) Northwestern: Michael Irving (Pac-12, Big Ten, MWC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Nathan Farrell (Big East, A-10, MAAC); Last Season: Round of 64 John Floyd (Big Ten, Horizon, MAC); Last Season: Round of 64
(15) UNC Asheville vs (2) UCLA: John Higgins (Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8 Jeb Hartness (C-USA, Big 12, ACC); Last Season: Round of 32 Antinio Petty (MVC, Big 12, C-USA); Last Season: Round of 64
Des Moines
(16) Howard vs (1) Kansas: Tony Padilla (Pac-12, Big 12, MWC); Last Season: Final 4 Byron Jarrett (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32 Brian McNutt (Summit, Big Ten, MVC); Last Season: Nothing**
(9) Illinois vs (8) Arkansas: Bert Smith (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Sean Hull (A-10, Patriot, Ivy); Last Season: Round of 64 Brooks Wells (Big Ten, Big 12, MVC); Last Season: Round of 64
(15) Colgate vs (2) Texas: Joe Lindsay (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Elite 8 Amy Bonner (MVC, Big 12, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 Randy Richardson (Pac-12, Big Sky, MWC); Last Season: Round of 64
(10) Penn State vs (7) Texas A&M: Courtney Green (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Marques Pettigrew (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16 Chance Moore (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Round of 64
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 3:30:48 GMT -5
*- First Tournament Game **- Returning to Tournament after not working last year
Friday Round of 64 Games
Columbus
(10) USC vs (7) Michigan State: Roger Ayers (ACC, Big Ten, Big East); Last Season: Final 4 Steve Anderson (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32 Scott Brown (Pac-12, WCC, MWC); Last Season: Round of 64
(15) Vermont vs (2) Marquette: Don Daily (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Greg Evans (Big East, MAAC, A-10); Last Season: Round of 64 Jemel Spearman (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Nothing*
(16) Fairleigh Dickinson vs (1) Purdue: Brian Dorsey (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Chris Beaver (MAC, Big Ten, Horizon); Last Season: Round of 64 Clarence Armstrong (ACC, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64
(9) FAU vs (8) Memphis: Lee Cassell (ACC, A-10, SEC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Bret Smith (Big 12, MVC, OVC); Last Season: Round of 64 Evon Burroughs (Big East, MAAC, America East); Last Season: Round of 64
Greensboro
(14) Kennesaw State vs (3) Xavier: Jeff Clark (Big East, A-10, MAAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Rob Riley (Big Ten, Horizon, Ivy); Last Season: Round of 32 Chuck Jones (SEC, Sun Belt, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64
(11) Pitt vs (6) Iowa State: Gerry Pollard (Big 12, MVC, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Mike Nance (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 Rob Kueneman (Big Ten, MAC, Summit); Last Season: Round of 64
(11) Providence vs (6) Kentucky: John Gaffney (Big East, ACC, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Pat Evans (SEC, Sun Belt, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 K.B. Burdett (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 (14) Montana State vs (3) Kansas State: Lamar Simpson (Big East, MAAC, ACC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Greg Nixon (Pac-12, MWC, WCC); Last Season: Round of 64 Chad Barlow (MAC, Horizon, Summit); Last Season: First 4
Denver
(14) UC Santa Barbara vs (3) Baylor: Doug Sirmons (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Deldre Carr (Pac-12, MWC, Big West); Last Season: Round of 64 Wil Howard (SEC, Sun Belt, AAC); Last Season: Nothing*
(11) NC State vs (6) Creighton: Larry Scirotto (Big Ten, Pac-12, MAC); Last Season: Elite 8 Eric Curry (Pac-12, MWC, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 32 Tim Clougherty (Big East, ACC, CAA); Last Season: Round of 64
(14) Grand Canyon vs (3) Gonzaga: Paul Szelc (Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Bill Ek (Big Ten, Horizon, MAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Michael Palau (A-10, MAAC, CAA); Last Season: First 4
(11) Arizona State vs (6) TCU: Ray Natili (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16 Vladimir Voyard-Tadal (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 D.G. Nelson (Pac-12, MWC, Big Sky); Last Season: Round of 64
Albany
(12) VCU vs (5) Saint Mary's D.J. Carstensen (Big Ten, AAC, Horizon); Last Season: Sweet 16 Brent Hampton (Big East, ACC, A-10); Last Season: Sweet 16 Nate Harris (Pac-12, MWC, WCC); Last Season: Round of 64
(13) Iona vs (4) Uconn: Jeff Anderson (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: National Championship Olandis Poole (SEC, Sun Belt, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Owen Shortt (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64
(12) Drake vs (5) Miami: Doug Shows (SEC, ACC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Anthony Jordan (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64 Tyler Kumpf (MVC, C-USA, Big 12); Last Season: Nothing*
(13) Kent State vs (4) Indiana: Keith Kimble (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Kelly Pfiefer (Big Ten, MWC, Pac-12); Last Season: Round of 32 Mark Schnur (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 64
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 11:40:29 GMT -5
Tournament Changes from 2022
First Round/First Four:
Officials Returning to Tournament Action: Dwayne Gladden, Randy Heimerman, Brian McNutt, Alfred Smith
Officials Recieving their first Tournament Assignment: Wil Howard, Jemel Spearman, Tyler Kumpf, Lucas Santos, Bharat Ramnanan, Tim Smith
Officials Not Receiving an Assignment that did in 2022: Tony Greene, Terry Wymer (Retired), Bo Boroski (Retired), David Hall, James Breeding, Chris Rastatter (Retired, New Coordinator of Officials), Tony Henderson (Injured), Donnie Eppley (Retired, New MAC Coordinator of Officials), Matt Potter, Frank Harvey
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 12:09:33 GMT -5
Congrats to the 6 Officials receiving their first Tournament Assignments. Howard worked a number of SEC games this year and Spearman quite a few ACC so I was not at all surprised to see them receive assignments. As far as the returners go McNutt returns after a 1 year absence, Gladden and Heimerman from 2019 and Alfred Smith works the Tournament for the first time since 2015. That year he also worked a First 4 Assignment only so he has yet to work a Round of 64 game.
We had a number of Veterans miss out on the tournament this year. The retirements of Rastatter, Wymer, Boroski and Eppley left us with at least 4 vacancies. Tony Henderson hasn't worked since late January due to injury so we also knew he would be out. Breeding missing is a shocker as he has worked the Final 4 the last 3 seasons and worked the Big East Tournmanet last week. I have to imagine he is injured or out due to personal reasons as there is very little chance he would not be in the top 100. Other veterans David Hall and Tony Greeene appear to have not made the mark. Both have been first round only for awhile but now appear to be even lower. Greene is one of the best Officials ever having worked 7 Final 4's and 5 National Championship Games but he might be towards the end.
We saw some veterans who have missed the tournament the last few seasons continue to miss including Randy McCall (I believe he was injured as he hasn't worked since January), Ted Valentine (still ineligible for the tournament as the article above stated), Jamie Luckie, Mike Roberts, Kelly Self and Raymond Styons among others. With Luckie, Self and Styons I think they just aren't grading as high anymore but with Roberts I think we might have a Joe DeRosa situation where he is choosing to not work the Tournmanent. He still works high level Big East, ACC and SEC games and even worked the Big East Final. It is very confusing why he has missed the Tournament the last 3 years.
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Post by FredFan7 on Mar 20, 2023 12:19:59 GMT -5
Congratulations to the three officials who worked this historic game:
(16) Fairleigh Dickinson vs (1) Purdue: Brian Dorsey (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Chris Beaver (MAC, Big Ten, Horizon); Last Season: Round of 64 Clarence Armstrong (ACC, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64
Face it, a 1 vs. 16 is the chance for new(er) tournament officials to get a taste of March Madness in a game that, on paper, shouldn't be that competitive.
Surprise!
I don't recall any griping about the officiating or a whopper of a missed call, so good job guys!
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 13:06:15 GMT -5
Second Round:
3/18
Orlando
(13) Furman vs (4) San Diego State: Pat Adams (SEC, AAC, Big 12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Mike Reed (Pac-12, MWC, Big Sky); Last Season: Elite 8 Tony Chiazza (Big East, MAAC, A-10); Last Season: Round of 32
(5) Duke vs (4) Tennessee: Kipp Kissinger (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Elite 8 Michael Greenstein (Pac-12, Big 12, MWC); Last Season: Round of 32 A.J. Desai (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 32
Des Moines
(8) Arkansas vs (1) Kansas: Joe Lindsay (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Elite 8 Courtney Green (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Marques Pettigrew (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16
(10) Penn State vs (2) Texas: Tony Padilla (Pac-12, Big 12, MWC); Last Season: Final 4 Bert Smith (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Byron Jarrett (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32
Sacramento
(15) Princeton vs (7) Missouri: John Higgins (Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8 Michael Irving (Pac-12, Big Ten, MWC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Jeb Hartness (C-USA, Big 12, ACC); Last Season: Round of 32
(7) Northwestern vs (2) UCLA: Brian O'Connell (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Round of 32 Earl Walton (Big East, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8 Kevin Brill (MWC, Pac-12, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64
Birmingham
(9) Auburn vs (1) Houston: Ron Groover (ACC, Big East, Big 12); Last Season: National Championship Verne Harris (Pac-12, MWC, WCC); Last Season: Elite 8 Darron George (C-USA, Big 12, MVC); Last Season: Round of 64
(8) Maryland vs (1) Alabama: Terry Oglesby (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: National Championship Pat Driscoll (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Bill Covington Jr. (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 32
3/19
Greensboro
(11) Pitt vs (3) Xavier: John Gaffney (Big East, ACC, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Lamar Simpson (Big East, MAAC, ACC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Greg Nixon (Pac-12, MWC, WCC); Last Season: Round of 64
(6) Kentucky vs (3) Kansas State: Jeff Clark (Big East, A-10, MAAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Gerry Pollard (Big 12, MVC, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16 K.B. Burdett (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64
Columbus
(7) Michigan State vs (2) Marquette: Brian Dorsey (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Lee Cassell (ACC, A-10, SEC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Clarence Armstrong (ACC, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 64
(16) Fairleigh Dickinson vs (9) FAU: Roger Ayers (ACC, Big Ten, Big East); Last Season: Final 4 Don Daily (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Steve Anderson (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32
Albany
(5) Saint Mary's vs (4) Uconn: Doug Shows (SEC, ACC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Keith Kimble (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Kelly Pfeifer (Big Ten, MWC, Pac-12); Last Season: Round of 32
(5) Miami vs (4) Indiana: Jeff Anderson (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: National Championship D.J. Carstensen (Big Ten, AAC, Horizon); Last Season: Sweet 16 Brent Hampton (Big East, ACC, A-10); Last Season: Sweet 16
Denver
(6) Creighton vs (3) Baylor: Paul Szelc (Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Ray Natili (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16 Eric Curry (Pac-12, MWC, Big Ten); Last Season: Round of 32
(6) TCU vs (3) Gonzaga: Doug Sirmons (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Larry Scirotto (Big Ten, Pac-12, MAC); Last Season: Elite 8 Vladimir Voyard-Tadal (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 64
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Post by russ on Mar 20, 2023 13:14:22 GMT -5
Tournament Officiating Changes
Round of 32:
Officials Returning to the Round of 32 Brian Dorsey, Greg Nixon, Darron George, Kevin Brill
Officials Receiving Their First Round of 32 Assignment Clarence Armstrong, Vladimir Voyard-Tadal, K.B. Burdett
Officials Down From the Round of 32 Terry Wymer, Bo Boroski, James Breeding, Chris Rastatter, Tony Henderson, Rob Riley, Donnie Eppley
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Post by russ on Mar 24, 2023 2:34:00 GMT -5
Sweet 16:
3/23
New York
(7) Michigan State vs (3) Kansas State: Jeff Anderson (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: National Championship Paul Szelc (Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Jeb Hartness (C-USA, Big 12, ACC); Last Season: Round of 32
(9) FAU vs (4) Tennessee: Brian Dorsey (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Round of 64 Larry Scirotto (Big Ten, Pac-12, MAC); Last Season: Elite 8 A.J. Desai (ACC, A-10, CAA); Last Season: Round of 32
Standby Official: Clarence Armstrong
Las Vegas
(8) Arkansas vs (4) Uconn: Terry Oglesby (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: National Championship Ray Natili (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16 Lamar Simpson (Big East, MAAC, ACC); Last Season: Sweet 16
(3) Gonzaga vs (2) UCLA: Kipp Kissinger (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Elite 8 Bert Smith (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16 Gerry Pollard (Big 12, MVC, Pac-12); Last Season: Sweet 16
Standby Official: Eric Curry
3/24
Louisville
(5) San Diego State vs (1) Alabama: Tony Padilla (Pac-12, Big 12, MWC); Last Season: Final 4 Don Daily (SEC, Big Ten, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Marques Pettigrew (Big 12, MVC, C-USA); Last Season: Sweet 16
(15) Princeton vs (6) Creighton: Pat Driscoll (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 D.J. Carstensen (Big Ten, AAC, Horizon); Last Season: Sweet 16 Byron Jarrett (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32
Standby Official: Deldre Carr
Kansas City
(5) Miami vs (1) Houston: John Higgins (Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8 Brian O'Connell (Big East, ACC, MAAC); Last Season: Round of 32 Steve Anderson (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Round of 32
(3) Xavier vs (2) Texas: Roger Ayers (ACC, Big Ten, Big East); Last Season: Final 4 Courtney Green (Big Ten, SEC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Tony Chiazza (Big East, MAAC, A-10); Last Season: Round of 32
Standby Official: Todd Austin
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Post by russ on Mar 26, 2023 20:36:19 GMT -5
Elite 8:
3/25
New York
(9) FAU vs (3) Kansas State: Doug Sirmons (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Doug Shows (SEC, ACC, AAC); Last Season: Sweet 16* Earl Walton (Big East, A-10, Big Ten); Last Season: Elite 8
Las Vegas
(4) Uconn vs (3) Gonzaga: Keith Kimble (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC); Last Season: Final 4 Mike Reed (Pac-12, MWC, Big Sky); Last Season: Elite 8 John Gaffney (Big East, ACC, Big Ten); Last Season: Sweet 16
3/26
Louisville
(6) Creighton vs (5) San Diego State: Joe Lindsay (SEC, AAC, Sun Belt); Last Season: Elite 8 Lee Cassell (ACC, A-10, SEC); Last Season: Sweet 16 Michael Irving (Pac-12, Big Ten, MWC); Last Season: Sweet 16
Kansas City
(5) Miami vs (2) Texas: Ron Groover (ACC, Big East, Big 12); Last Season: National Championship Pat Adams (SEC, AAC, Big 12); Last Season: Sweet 16 Brent Hampton (Big East, ACC, A-10); Last Season: Sweet 16
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Post by russ on Mar 26, 2023 21:42:23 GMT -5
Tournament Officiating Changes
Sweet 16:
Officials Returning to the Sweet 16 Brian Dorsey, Brian O'Connell, Jeb Hartness, Byron Jarrett, A.J. Desai
Officials Receiving Their First Sweet 16 Assignment Tony Chiazza, Steve Anderson
Officials Down From the Sweet 16 James Breeding, Chris Rastatter, Jeff Clark, Tony Henderson
Elite 8
Officials Returning to the Elite 8 Doug Shows, Doug Sirmons, Keith Kimble, Pat Adams, John Gafnney, Lee Cassell
Officials Receiving Their First Elite 8 Assignment Michael Irving, Brent Hampton
Officials Down from the Elite 8 Verne Harris, Terry Wymer, John Higgins, Jeff Anderson, Roger Ayers, Bo Boroski, Kipp Kissinger, Larry Scirotto
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Post by russ on Mar 26, 2023 22:09:41 GMT -5
Congratulations to Michael Irving and Brent Hampton on their first Elite 8 and Tony Chiazza and Steve Anderson on their first Sweet 16. Irving had worked 7 Sweet 16's before getting this Elite 8 so good to see him move up. Chiazza had also been stuck at the Round of 32 4 straight Tournaments before finally moving up this year.
The only 2 guys besides our 5 retirements/injury absences done at the round of 32 that were at the Elite 8 or Sweet 16 last year were Verne Harris and Jeff Clark. Harris being done is a huge surprise. This is the first season since 2003 that Harris has not worked at least the Sweet 16, which was by far the longest streak in College Basketball. He had 9 Final 4's and 6 National Championships in that time frame. Think of him like Tom Hill or Mark Perlman. Someone who is at the highest level literally every season. Even last year he worked the Elite 8. He hasn't worked a Final 4 since 2017 so he has regressed a little bit in the last 6 years but as I said he still worked the Elite 8 last season. With Harris's streak ending Doug Sirmons now holds the active streak of getting to at least the Sweet 16 getting there every year since 2008. Will be interesting to see if this is a one off or if Harris continues to struggle. Clark is a little bit of a surprise as he has worked at least the Sweet 16 6 of the last 7 seasons with a Final 4 in 2016. But I've always found him a little inconsistent. Wouldn't surprise me to see him return to the Sweet 16/Elite 8 next year.
All 5 guys who returned to the Sweet 16 came back after only a 1 year absence. Shows and Cassell return to the Elite 8 after a 1 year absence. Sirmons, Kimble and Gaffney return after having last worked the Elite 8 in 2019 although Sirmons and Kimble both worked the Final 4 in 2021 and 2022. Adams returns to the Elite 8 for the frist time since 2015 although he did have a Final 4 in 2021. But he has generally been done in the Sweet 16.
Will be intersting to see the Final 4 Officials. There will need to be at least 2 addition with Boroski retiring and Breeding not working the Tournament. Mike Reed worked his 5th Elite 8, John Gaffney his 4th and Earl Walton his 3rd and none of them have worked a Final 4 yet. Could see at least a few of them in the mix. Joe Lindsay also worked his second straight Elite 8, was an alternate for the Final 4 last year, and was a CC for Creighton-San Diego State despite having never worked a Final 4 on the court. He is definitely in the mix as well.
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