Can we drop this notion that officiating can never decide a game?

[Black Diamond Vol]

If officiating is THAT inconsequential, then why even have referees? Just let both teams self-officiate on the honor system.

Yes, we made some critical mistakes down the stretch that cost us the win. The refs also made some critical calls that cost us the win. Both of these things are true. Even with our mistakes, if that game is called with a straight whistle, we win. Period.

[JeffCountyVolFan]

This is a forum where UT fans express their opinions. I don't think that we will all ever agree on everything. That's OK with me and I try to respect the views of people who post here. If I have ever offended anyone here, I apologize.

I absolutely think that officials affect games. Maybe we can all agree on that?    Good officiating is a positive influence and poor officiating isn't. So yes, officiating can decide the outcome of a game - good or bad.

As to the LSU/UT game on Saturday, I personally do not think that there was a gross number of missed calls. Calls were missed, as will always occur because officials are human. There were also what I thought were questionable calls that were missed: no F2 on Reid and a possible hook-and-hold late on Grant (not sure about this one - I don't have a complete understanding of the rule I guess).

As I've stated elsewhere, I think that the disparity in fouls was largely due to the fact that LSU attacked the paint and not that officials were out to get UT.  For the majority of the game, UT was satisfied being on the perimeter and taking jump shots.

If Anthony Jordan is an LSU fan, he should never have been in this game. Its a bad look regardless of whether the fix was on or not.

[Black Diamond Vol]

This is a forum where UT fans express their opinions. I don't think that we will all ever agree on everything. That's OK with me and I try to respect the views of people who post here. If I have ever offended anyone here, I apologize.

I absolutely think that officials affect games. Maybe we can all agree on that?    Good officiating is a positive influence and poor officiating isn't. So yes, officiating can decide the outcome of a game - good or bad.

As to the LSU/UT game on Saturday, I personally do not think that there was a gross number of missed calls. Calls were missed, as will always occur because officials are human. There were also what I thought were questionable calls that were missed: no F2 on Reid and a possible hook-and-hold late on Grant (not sure about this one - I don't have a complete understanding of the rule I guess).

As I've stated elsewhere, I think that the disparity in fouls was largely due to the fact that LSU attacked the paint and not that officials were out to get UT.  For the majority of the game, UT was satisfied being on the perimeter and taking jump shots.

If Anthony Jordan is an LSU fan, he should never have been in this game. Its a bad look regardless of whether the fix was on or not.

You didn't offend me. And my post wasn't directed only at you. You are far from the only one here who has said this. Hell, I'VE said it- whenever we played poorly and were undeserving of the win. When that happens, you won't hear me complaining about missed calls.

But we didn't play that badly on Saturday. Certainly well enough to win (mistakes aside). 22 of our 67 FGAs were from the perimeter. For LSU, it was 25/65. And yet, they took 31 FTs to our 16. So I don't buy that we didn't go inside. That FT disparity alone decided the game.

Was Jordan biased? Well, he blew his whistle more than the other two refs combined. He was in the middle of nearly every questionable call. He was the crew chief, and he allowed  Will Wade to berate his crew nonstop for 40 minutes. I've seen Coach K get T'd up for less. I can't claim to know what was in his head, but it sure isn't a good look.

[JeffCountyVolFan]

Glad to hear that I didn't offend, BDV. Sometimes I can come across that way (most always unintentional  ).

Except for stopping penetration on defense, I thought that we played a great game.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/playbyplay?gameId=401082992

When I look at that shot chart, it looks to me like we played a game much more away from the bucket than LSU. That's not surprising, because it's part of what this team is.

Free throws definitely were the difference. I just think they were attacking us more offensively.

I completely agree with you on the Jordan situation.

[volsboy]

Of course no one was bitching in the first Vandy game when Williams shot 23 free throws by himself. What was the foul disparity in that game? Sometimes it is just the way the flow of the game goes. No two are alike. The Vandy rematch was definitely not the same as the first one.

[Volznut]

That is just it. We actually played a pretty solid game. Williams really played well defensively on Naz Green, totally took him out of the game. Offensively Grant didn't really get going till late, but he was fouled a lot in that game and many did not get called. We need Bowden to steop up, he has not done much in the last 2 games

[Creek Walker]

Of course no one was bitching in the first Vandy game when Williams shot 23 free throws by himself. What was the foul disparity in that game? Sometimes it is just the way the flow of the game goes. No two are alike. The Vandy rematch was definitely not the same as the first one.

And you weren't bitching about how terrible a coach Rick Barnes is when we were winning 19 straight, but you sure did change your tune as soon as the Vols dropped a couple of games.

[PirateVOL]

And you weren't bitching about how terrible a coach Rick Barnes is when we were winning 19 straight, but you sure did change your tune as soon as the Vols dropped a couple of games.

**WARNING** Responding to a TROLL **WARNING**

[volsboy]

And you weren't bitching about how terrible a coach Rick Barnes is when we were winning 19 straight, but you sure did change your tune as soon as the Vols dropped a couple of games.

I never once said he was a bad coach. I said he needs to show some good coaching moves. Have the Vols looked like a well-coached team since they got to the meat of a schedule?  They have looked lazy and make too many bone-headed moves that well coached teams don't make. Barnes is a good coach. They have lost 2 of their last three and haven't looked as well coached during that span. He let a back up guard own them and do layup drills for LSU.  I'm sorry if that truth escapes you.  If they can get it together and beat UK in Knoxville, they might do well in the tourney. We shall see.

[Creek Walker]

**WARNING** Responding to a TROLL **WARNING**

Sometimes I forget what my mama taught me about arguing with fools.

[volsboy]

DITTO