Tony Greene was on the move; after working a game last night in Starkville, MS, he hurried to Washington, DC, for an afternoon game today. Harvard (better than the average Ivy League team) was facing Georgetown (a worse than average Big East team, and a team that seems to be in turmoil, at that).
Georgetown was a 14-point favorite and barely covered, winning 86-70. However, this game was not televised, so while ITGOTT would have loved to review a game that concluded so close to the spread, that's not possible.
Maybe next time!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Game 24 - Centenary @ Mississippi State - Dec. 22, 2009
After a couple days off, Tony Greene showed up in Starkville, MS, to work Mississippi State's blowout of the Centenary Gentlemen.
This game was not televised, so there can be no ITGOTT review of Tony Greene's performance
This game was not televised, so there can be no ITGOTT review of Tony Greene's performance
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Game 23 - South Carolina @ Wofford - Dec. 19, 2009
GAME - South Carolina @ Wofford; Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009
LINE - South Carolina - 3
RESULT - Wofford wins outright, winning 68-61.
Review coming later this week (game on TiVo).
LINE - South Carolina - 3
RESULT - Wofford wins outright, winning 68-61.
Review coming later this week (game on TiVo).
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Game 22 - Richmond @ South Carolina - Dec. 16, 2009
GAME - Richmond @ South Carolina; Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
LINE - South Carolina - 4 1/2
RESULT - South Carolina covers, winning 76-58
Tony Greene showed up in Columbia, SC, tonight, to work the match-up between the Richmond Spiders and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks entered the game as a 4 1/2 point favorite, according to the Las Vegas Hilton.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
South Carolina entered the game knowing it was the bigger, more physical team. Richmond played the role of the savvier, ball movement specialists who would work to get good shots and play very smart defense, preventing fast breaks and easy buckets. A more physical game would CLEARLY help the Gamecocks.
As the lead official, Tony Greene would be likely to set the officiating tone that this ballgame took. That tone was set early when there was simply nothing being called by any official.
Unbelievably, the first 5+ minutes were played without a single foul call. On one possession, South Carolina was crashing the offensive glass and two fouls could be HEARD when Richmond players were slapping the arms of South Carolina players. Going the other way, Richmond saw two players hit the floor with no call. Before a single call was made by any official, a hot-shooting Richmond team had taken a 12-4 lead.
The Charge/Block Call - It Can Always Go Either Way, So Make Sure It Goes Your Way
Then Tony Greene stepped in, whistling a Richmond player for a charge on a clear 50/50 call with about 12 minutes to go in the half. The Spiders were unable to gain any momentum, and a 7-0 South Carolina run reduced an 8-point Richmond lead to a single point advantage halfway through the first half.
Use Calls (And Non-Calls) To Stop Momentum Of The Team You Are Not Helping
Richmond wouldn't be denied, and some aggressive defense and some smart passing led to some easy Spider baskets, and their lead quickly ballooned to 9 points as they seized the momentum. But the officials apparently didn't want Richmond to have the momentum, and one of the most ticky-tack fouls ITGOTT has seen all year was called on Richmond, resulting in an "and one" for the Gamecocks.
Yet Richmond STILL wouldn't be denied, controlling the tempo and making efficient, smart passes to earn their players open shots. Other than ignore South Carolina fouls (which they did on two consecutive possessions), there really wasn't anything the officials could do. Not that Tony Greene didn't try, calling YET ANOTHER "and one" foul call on Richmond with just over 4 minutes left in the half, the subsequent free throw reducing the Spider lead to 3.
Richmond's sticky D resulted in a couple of Gamecock turnovers, and the Spider halftime lead was extended to 8. (It should also be noted that JB Caldwell, NOT Tony Greene, called a charge on South Carolina inside of a minute to play in the first half, the resulting Richmond basket representing a 4-point change). For South Carolina to cover, they needed to win the second half by 15 points, a pretty large challenge against a team that controls tempo as well as Richmond.
If You Need Something To Change, Set A Tone Early In The Second Half By Changing The Officiating Style From The First Half
Get Major Players On The Team You Are Not Helping In Foul Trouble
Amazingly, 15 seconds into the second half (remember, it was more than 5 minutes into the first half before a foul was called on ANY team), a foul is called on Richmond. 2 more minutes, and yet another "and one" foul was called on Richmond, and suddenly South Carolina was only down 4. This officiating crew, led by Tony Greene, was clearly officiating this game differently in the second half than they had in the first half.
And oh by the way, that "and one" call was the FOURTH foul on Richmond senior leader David Gonzalvez, so he had to go to the bench VERY early in the second half.
A non-call on a South Carolina block of a Richmond lay-up, then a 50/50 out-of-bounds call that went South Carolina's way, and 3 minutes into the second half, an 11-2 South Carolina run has flipped an 8-point Richmond halftime lead into a 1-point deficit.
The early second-half tone set by the officials really seemed to rattle Richmond, and announcer Dave Neal even claimed that Richmond had gone into a "meltdown situation." With the 4 1/2 point spread COVERED less than 5 minutes into the second half (after South Carolina had an 8-point deficit at halftime), the power that the officials have to change the momentum of a game by changing how they officiate that game has not been more evident in any game ITGOTT has reviewed this season. This game was CLEARLY officiated differently, as relates to Richmond especially, in the first half than it was in the opening minutes of the second half - and that change seemed to make all the difference in the game.
Richmond coach Chris Mooney saw the game slipping away from him, and in desperation, put his senior leader David Gonzalvez back into the game long before the game reached the mid-point of the second half. That change, and the defensive intensity brought by Gonzalvez, helped Richmond reduce the lead to 1 point, and flip the spread. With the game tied with nearly 11 minutes to play, Richmond coach Chris Mooney judiciously put his senior leader David Gonzalvez, laden with 4 fouls, back on the bench. The resulting decrease in defensive intensity allowed the Gamecocks to build back a 2-point lead, demonstrating how a key call (that fourth foul call on Gonzalvez 2 minutes into the second half) can influence a game long after the whistle has finished sounding.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
Then, with the game tied with just under 8 minutes to go, the Tony Greene-led officiating crew once AGAIN changed its style and swallowed their whistles. A couple of possible Gamecock fouls (and an obvious Gamecock traveling violation) were ignored, a 50/50 out-of-bounds ball went South Carolina's way, and without a single foul being called on either team for 3 1/2 minutes, a 15-0 South Carolina run blew the game open. It seemed to ITGOTT that this was how this Tony Greene-led crew wanted it to be at the outset of the game, but Richmond's hot shooting, crisp passing, and intense D didn't allow for that. A simple change of officiating style changed the course of the game, and ANOTHER change of officiating style dictated the ending.
Look at it this way: with the game tied at 52 with 8 minutes to go, the officials simply stopped calling fouls on South Carolina. Shockingly, not a single foul was called on the Gamecocks for MORE THAN NINE MINUTES!!!
With The Spread Easily Covered, Make Calls Favoring the OTHER Team To Draw Attention Away From Yourself
Tony Greene stepped in to call a meaningless reach-in call on South Carolina 30 feet from from the basket - no free throws, of course, Richmond wasn't in the bonus - with a minute and a half to go in the game. That call was the ONLY foul call made on South Carolina during the final 10 1/2 minutes of the game.
No wonder South Carolina covered the 4 1/2 point spread after trailing by 8 at halftime!
LINE - South Carolina - 4 1/2
RESULT - South Carolina covers, winning 76-58
Tony Greene showed up in Columbia, SC, tonight, to work the match-up between the Richmond Spiders and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks entered the game as a 4 1/2 point favorite, according to the Las Vegas Hilton.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
South Carolina entered the game knowing it was the bigger, more physical team. Richmond played the role of the savvier, ball movement specialists who would work to get good shots and play very smart defense, preventing fast breaks and easy buckets. A more physical game would CLEARLY help the Gamecocks.
As the lead official, Tony Greene would be likely to set the officiating tone that this ballgame took. That tone was set early when there was simply nothing being called by any official.
Unbelievably, the first 5+ minutes were played without a single foul call. On one possession, South Carolina was crashing the offensive glass and two fouls could be HEARD when Richmond players were slapping the arms of South Carolina players. Going the other way, Richmond saw two players hit the floor with no call. Before a single call was made by any official, a hot-shooting Richmond team had taken a 12-4 lead.
The Charge/Block Call - It Can Always Go Either Way, So Make Sure It Goes Your Way
Then Tony Greene stepped in, whistling a Richmond player for a charge on a clear 50/50 call with about 12 minutes to go in the half. The Spiders were unable to gain any momentum, and a 7-0 South Carolina run reduced an 8-point Richmond lead to a single point advantage halfway through the first half.
Use Calls (And Non-Calls) To Stop Momentum Of The Team You Are Not Helping
Richmond wouldn't be denied, and some aggressive defense and some smart passing led to some easy Spider baskets, and their lead quickly ballooned to 9 points as they seized the momentum. But the officials apparently didn't want Richmond to have the momentum, and one of the most ticky-tack fouls ITGOTT has seen all year was called on Richmond, resulting in an "and one" for the Gamecocks.
Yet Richmond STILL wouldn't be denied, controlling the tempo and making efficient, smart passes to earn their players open shots. Other than ignore South Carolina fouls (which they did on two consecutive possessions), there really wasn't anything the officials could do. Not that Tony Greene didn't try, calling YET ANOTHER "and one" foul call on Richmond with just over 4 minutes left in the half, the subsequent free throw reducing the Spider lead to 3.
Richmond's sticky D resulted in a couple of Gamecock turnovers, and the Spider halftime lead was extended to 8. (It should also be noted that JB Caldwell, NOT Tony Greene, called a charge on South Carolina inside of a minute to play in the first half, the resulting Richmond basket representing a 4-point change). For South Carolina to cover, they needed to win the second half by 15 points, a pretty large challenge against a team that controls tempo as well as Richmond.
If You Need Something To Change, Set A Tone Early In The Second Half By Changing The Officiating Style From The First Half
Get Major Players On The Team You Are Not Helping In Foul Trouble
Amazingly, 15 seconds into the second half (remember, it was more than 5 minutes into the first half before a foul was called on ANY team), a foul is called on Richmond. 2 more minutes, and yet another "and one" foul was called on Richmond, and suddenly South Carolina was only down 4. This officiating crew, led by Tony Greene, was clearly officiating this game differently in the second half than they had in the first half.
And oh by the way, that "and one" call was the FOURTH foul on Richmond senior leader David Gonzalvez, so he had to go to the bench VERY early in the second half.
A non-call on a South Carolina block of a Richmond lay-up, then a 50/50 out-of-bounds call that went South Carolina's way, and 3 minutes into the second half, an 11-2 South Carolina run has flipped an 8-point Richmond halftime lead into a 1-point deficit.
The early second-half tone set by the officials really seemed to rattle Richmond, and announcer Dave Neal even claimed that Richmond had gone into a "meltdown situation." With the 4 1/2 point spread COVERED less than 5 minutes into the second half (after South Carolina had an 8-point deficit at halftime), the power that the officials have to change the momentum of a game by changing how they officiate that game has not been more evident in any game ITGOTT has reviewed this season. This game was CLEARLY officiated differently, as relates to Richmond especially, in the first half than it was in the opening minutes of the second half - and that change seemed to make all the difference in the game.
Richmond coach Chris Mooney saw the game slipping away from him, and in desperation, put his senior leader David Gonzalvez back into the game long before the game reached the mid-point of the second half. That change, and the defensive intensity brought by Gonzalvez, helped Richmond reduce the lead to 1 point, and flip the spread. With the game tied with nearly 11 minutes to play, Richmond coach Chris Mooney judiciously put his senior leader David Gonzalvez, laden with 4 fouls, back on the bench. The resulting decrease in defensive intensity allowed the Gamecocks to build back a 2-point lead, demonstrating how a key call (that fourth foul call on Gonzalvez 2 minutes into the second half) can influence a game long after the whistle has finished sounding.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
Then, with the game tied with just under 8 minutes to go, the Tony Greene-led officiating crew once AGAIN changed its style and swallowed their whistles. A couple of possible Gamecock fouls (and an obvious Gamecock traveling violation) were ignored, a 50/50 out-of-bounds ball went South Carolina's way, and without a single foul being called on either team for 3 1/2 minutes, a 15-0 South Carolina run blew the game open. It seemed to ITGOTT that this was how this Tony Greene-led crew wanted it to be at the outset of the game, but Richmond's hot shooting, crisp passing, and intense D didn't allow for that. A simple change of officiating style changed the course of the game, and ANOTHER change of officiating style dictated the ending.
Look at it this way: with the game tied at 52 with 8 minutes to go, the officials simply stopped calling fouls on South Carolina. Shockingly, not a single foul was called on the Gamecocks for MORE THAN NINE MINUTES!!!
With The Spread Easily Covered, Make Calls Favoring the OTHER Team To Draw Attention Away From Yourself
Tony Greene stepped in to call a meaningless reach-in call on South Carolina 30 feet from from the basket - no free throws, of course, Richmond wasn't in the bonus - with a minute and a half to go in the game. That call was the ONLY foul call made on South Carolina during the final 10 1/2 minutes of the game.
No wonder South Carolina covered the 4 1/2 point spread after trailing by 8 at halftime!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Game 21 - Elon @ Wake Forest - Dec. 13, 2009
Tony Greene traveled cross-country from Anaheim to work yesterday's blowout of Elon by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (an underrated team, in ITGOTT's opinion).
No TV coverage, however.
No TV coverage, however.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A comment on Curtis Shaw
Curtis Shaw is one of the most respected officials in college basketball, but ITGOTT is not a fan. One might think that because Curtis Shaw has been honored with the privilege or working multiple Final Fours, he could be considered one of the best officials in college basketball. But his officiating in general, and his behavior yesterday in particular, demonstrate why he should no longer be allowed to officiate college basketball games.
In last night's game between #5 Purdue and unranked Alabama from Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL, Curtis Shaw was working along with (an ITGOTT favorite) Bert Smith and John Hughes. Behind the emotion and momentum of the Heisman Trophy announcement, when Mark Ingram was able to become the first Alabama player EVER (can that even be possible?) to win the Heisman trophy, the Crimson Tide were able to take a double digit lead on the heavily favored Boilermakers from Purdue. But talent won out, and Purdue quickly closed the gap in the second half, pulling away to win by nearly double digits.
But the story of this game is the unfortunate behavior of Curtis Shaw. One of the most "respected" officials in college basketball, once again, had to make the game about him, ejecting several Crimson Tide students from the students section.
We've seen this sort of petty, childish behavior from Curtis Shaw before. Last season, the thin-skinned bully Curtis Shaw ejected Rice's mascot, Sammy the Owl, for commenting on a Curtis Shaw call with about 8 minutes remaining in a game where Rice was hosting Tulane.
This season, Curtis Shaw took it on himself to inject himself into the game, and even the crowd, last night when excited, boisterous Alabama fans were apparently saying something Curtis Shaw didn't like. The fans were not entering the court; they were not interfering with the game; and they were not throwing items onto the floor - all of those are acceptable reasons for a fan to be ejected. But with the trend of universities placing student sections closer to the floor to create a more intimidating home atmosphere, as Alabama has done, there will be enthusiastic students who loudly support their teams. Who can argue an Alabama student, sitting peacefully in his team's student section on the first day of the academic holiday break and just hours after learning his football team's star had won the school's first Heisman Trophy, getting vociferously involved in the game? Well, apparently Curtis Shaw, who began singling out students for ejection with about 4 minutes left to go in the game.
This game isn't about you, Curtis Shaw! This game is about students! It's about fun! And it's about the thrill of cheering for your team - even the fun of criticizing a lazy, overrated, past-his-prime, ref like you! This sports has so many great officials - like Bert Smith, who was working with Curtis Shaw last night - that it's a shame that a thin-skinned, lazy, bully of a coward like you had to be considered one of the best in the game. You are not, Curtis Shaw. You, because of your attitude, are one of the worst.
And it's not just your attitude. It's your lazy officiating. Here is an example:
Every official in every game is expected to demonstrate a "visible ten-second count" if he's working the backcourt as a team approaches mid-court with the ball. Offensive teams have ten seconds to move the ball into the frontcourt, or it's a turnover. Ten times per possession, each official is expected to demonstrate this with his arm until the offensive team crosses midcourt and enters the frontcourt. To avoid doing so is either the height of laziness or the pinnacle of arrogance - or in the case of Curtis Shaw, both.
ITGOTT watched last night's game. Every single possession, without exception, Bert Smith offered the players (and coaches and fans) a visible ten-second count. Every single time.
Curtis Shaw did not, on any possession that we noticed. He's too lazy, too arrogant, too SOMETHING to do the most basic of officiating duties. Yet he injects himself into games time and time again, ejecting mascots, and even pointing out vociferous students to the police so they can be escorted out.
Watch the next game Curtis Shaw officiates. He will NOT demonstrate a visible ten-second call, an easy way to tell if an official is willing to do the little things as part of his job.
Curtis Shaw is the WORST official in college basketball. He's an arrogant, thin-skinned bully who can't do the basics of his job, yet oversteps his purview repeatedly to show people who's really in charge. Way to go, Curtis Shaw. You truly are an embarrassment to officials, a disgrace to the NCAA, and a humilation to anyone who knows you.
In last night's game between #5 Purdue and unranked Alabama from Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL, Curtis Shaw was working along with (an ITGOTT favorite) Bert Smith and John Hughes. Behind the emotion and momentum of the Heisman Trophy announcement, when Mark Ingram was able to become the first Alabama player EVER (can that even be possible?) to win the Heisman trophy, the Crimson Tide were able to take a double digit lead on the heavily favored Boilermakers from Purdue. But talent won out, and Purdue quickly closed the gap in the second half, pulling away to win by nearly double digits.
But the story of this game is the unfortunate behavior of Curtis Shaw. One of the most "respected" officials in college basketball, once again, had to make the game about him, ejecting several Crimson Tide students from the students section.
We've seen this sort of petty, childish behavior from Curtis Shaw before. Last season, the thin-skinned bully Curtis Shaw ejected Rice's mascot, Sammy the Owl, for commenting on a Curtis Shaw call with about 8 minutes remaining in a game where Rice was hosting Tulane.
This season, Curtis Shaw took it on himself to inject himself into the game, and even the crowd, last night when excited, boisterous Alabama fans were apparently saying something Curtis Shaw didn't like. The fans were not entering the court; they were not interfering with the game; and they were not throwing items onto the floor - all of those are acceptable reasons for a fan to be ejected. But with the trend of universities placing student sections closer to the floor to create a more intimidating home atmosphere, as Alabama has done, there will be enthusiastic students who loudly support their teams. Who can argue an Alabama student, sitting peacefully in his team's student section on the first day of the academic holiday break and just hours after learning his football team's star had won the school's first Heisman Trophy, getting vociferously involved in the game? Well, apparently Curtis Shaw, who began singling out students for ejection with about 4 minutes left to go in the game.
This game isn't about you, Curtis Shaw! This game is about students! It's about fun! And it's about the thrill of cheering for your team - even the fun of criticizing a lazy, overrated, past-his-prime, ref like you! This sports has so many great officials - like Bert Smith, who was working with Curtis Shaw last night - that it's a shame that a thin-skinned, lazy, bully of a coward like you had to be considered one of the best in the game. You are not, Curtis Shaw. You, because of your attitude, are one of the worst.
And it's not just your attitude. It's your lazy officiating. Here is an example:
Every official in every game is expected to demonstrate a "visible ten-second count" if he's working the backcourt as a team approaches mid-court with the ball. Offensive teams have ten seconds to move the ball into the frontcourt, or it's a turnover. Ten times per possession, each official is expected to demonstrate this with his arm until the offensive team crosses midcourt and enters the frontcourt. To avoid doing so is either the height of laziness or the pinnacle of arrogance - or in the case of Curtis Shaw, both.
ITGOTT watched last night's game. Every single possession, without exception, Bert Smith offered the players (and coaches and fans) a visible ten-second count. Every single time.
Curtis Shaw did not, on any possession that we noticed. He's too lazy, too arrogant, too SOMETHING to do the most basic of officiating duties. Yet he injects himself into games time and time again, ejecting mascots, and even pointing out vociferous students to the police so they can be escorted out.
Watch the next game Curtis Shaw officiates. He will NOT demonstrate a visible ten-second call, an easy way to tell if an official is willing to do the little things as part of his job.
Curtis Shaw is the WORST official in college basketball. He's an arrogant, thin-skinned bully who can't do the basics of his job, yet oversteps his purview repeatedly to show people who's really in charge. Way to go, Curtis Shaw. You truly are an embarrassment to officials, a disgrace to the NCAA, and a humilation to anyone who knows you.
Game 20 - Georgetown vs. Washington @ Anaheim, CA; Dec. 12, 2009
Tony Green worked yesterday's game between Georgetown and Washington in the John Wooden Classic in Anaheim, CA.
Although the game was televised by Fox Sports Net, ITGOTT was unable to watch the game.
Perhaps there will be a replay of the game this week.
Although the game was televised by Fox Sports Net, ITGOTT was unable to watch the game.
Perhaps there will be a replay of the game this week.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Game 19 - DePaul vs. Mississippi State @ Tampa, FL; Dec. 10, 2009
GAME - DePaul vs. Mississippi State in Tampa; Thursday, Dec. 12, 2009
LINE - Mississippi State - 12
RESULT - Mississippi State covers easily, winning by 31, 76-45
After a necessary FOUR days off following his Saturday "effort" in Lexington (http://istonygreeneonthetake.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-17-north-carolina-kentucky-dec-5.html), Tony Greene showed up in Tampa, FL, tonight, working the lesser half of the Big East-SEC Showdown match-ups played in Tampa. Drawing the short straw and missing out on the anticipated Florida-Syracuse tilt later in the evening, Tony Greene was forced to sit through the desolate DePaul-Mississippi State match-up, and so were his friends at ITGOTT.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Halfway through the first half, ITGOTT hadn't noticed anything egregious by any of tonight's crew, which consisted of Tony Greene, Mike Kitts, and Doug Shows. A questionable charge call on a Mississippi State Bulldog resulted in a DePaul three-pointer, and an additional bizarre rebounding foul on MSU's Kodi Augustus made ITGOTT look at Doug Shows, but he's more of a bad official than an official "on the take."
If Tony Greene was calling anything, ITGOTT missed it in the first half. A Mississippi State run, fueled by 9 first-half three-pointers, was not interrupted by any calls, and a 15-0 run put the Bulldogs up by 19 at the close of the half. The spread was covered 5 minutes before the first half, and MSU never looked back. Tony Greene wasn't going to make any calls to break MSU's momentum, and DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright's repeated time-outs proved futile. FYI - During MSU's 15-0 run, only 2 total fouls were called on either team, and neither were called by Tony Greene.
An easy "and-one" call made by a shockingly out-of-position Tony Greene (ITGOTT had no clue what he was doing in that position when he made the call) with 42 seconds to go in the half allowed MSU to extend its lead to 22, the margin being reduced to 20 at halftime.
(To be fair, this looked like a case of one coach totally out-preparing the other. The underrated Rick Stansbury of MSU totally out-classed DePaul's Jerry Wainwright. Look for Jerry Wainwright to be doing something else other than embarrassing Blue Demon fans next year. In fact, IsTonyGreenOnTheTake boldly predicts that Jerry Wainwright is dismissed before the end of this season.)
Don't Let The Team You Are Not Helping Get Back Into The Game
Following this rule, unbelievably, the first seven personal fouls of the second half were called on DePaul, and Mississippi State was able to extend its 20-point lead to 27, and with 14:21 to go in the game, the Bulldogs were in the bonus while yet to commit their first second-half foul.
It should be noted that this game was SO bad that even Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes were having a hard time keeping interested. By the second half, these guys were talking about ANYTHING other than the game, and it was tough to keep watching.
Mississippi State, behind a 9-1 second half foul discrepancy in its favor, extended its lead to 31 with 9 minutes to play, and the rout was on and the spread of 12 was easily in hand.
Mississippi State went on to win 76-45, easily covering the 12-point spread.
LINE - Mississippi State - 12
RESULT - Mississippi State covers easily, winning by 31, 76-45
After a necessary FOUR days off following his Saturday "effort" in Lexington (http://istonygreeneonthetake.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-17-north-carolina-kentucky-dec-5.html), Tony Greene showed up in Tampa, FL, tonight, working the lesser half of the Big East-SEC Showdown match-ups played in Tampa. Drawing the short straw and missing out on the anticipated Florida-Syracuse tilt later in the evening, Tony Greene was forced to sit through the desolate DePaul-Mississippi State match-up, and so were his friends at ITGOTT.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Halfway through the first half, ITGOTT hadn't noticed anything egregious by any of tonight's crew, which consisted of Tony Greene, Mike Kitts, and Doug Shows. A questionable charge call on a Mississippi State Bulldog resulted in a DePaul three-pointer, and an additional bizarre rebounding foul on MSU's Kodi Augustus made ITGOTT look at Doug Shows, but he's more of a bad official than an official "on the take."
If Tony Greene was calling anything, ITGOTT missed it in the first half. A Mississippi State run, fueled by 9 first-half three-pointers, was not interrupted by any calls, and a 15-0 run put the Bulldogs up by 19 at the close of the half. The spread was covered 5 minutes before the first half, and MSU never looked back. Tony Greene wasn't going to make any calls to break MSU's momentum, and DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright's repeated time-outs proved futile. FYI - During MSU's 15-0 run, only 2 total fouls were called on either team, and neither were called by Tony Greene.
An easy "and-one" call made by a shockingly out-of-position Tony Greene (ITGOTT had no clue what he was doing in that position when he made the call) with 42 seconds to go in the half allowed MSU to extend its lead to 22, the margin being reduced to 20 at halftime.
(To be fair, this looked like a case of one coach totally out-preparing the other. The underrated Rick Stansbury of MSU totally out-classed DePaul's Jerry Wainwright. Look for Jerry Wainwright to be doing something else other than embarrassing Blue Demon fans next year. In fact, IsTonyGreenOnTheTake boldly predicts that Jerry Wainwright is dismissed before the end of this season.)
Don't Let The Team You Are Not Helping Get Back Into The Game
Following this rule, unbelievably, the first seven personal fouls of the second half were called on DePaul, and Mississippi State was able to extend its 20-point lead to 27, and with 14:21 to go in the game, the Bulldogs were in the bonus while yet to commit their first second-half foul.
It should be noted that this game was SO bad that even Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes were having a hard time keeping interested. By the second half, these guys were talking about ANYTHING other than the game, and it was tough to keep watching.
Mississippi State, behind a 9-1 second half foul discrepancy in its favor, extended its lead to 31 with 9 minutes to play, and the rout was on and the spread of 12 was easily in hand.
Mississippi State went on to win 76-45, easily covering the 12-point spread.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Game 18 - North Carolina @ Kentucky; Dec. 5, 2009
GAME - North Carolina @ Kentucky; Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
LINE - Kentucky - 4
RESULT - Kentucky 68-66, North Carolina gets a backdoor cover
Tony Greene showed up in Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, KY, today, to work the highly anticipated tilt between #10 North Carolina and #5 Kentucky.
With A Small Spread, Keep The Team You Are Helping Close Early
And by "early," Tony Greene apparently thought REALLY early. 2 seconds in and it was obvious where this game was headed, if Tony Greene had any say in it. Tony Greene tosses the ball up for the opening tap, Kentucky's John Wall is tripped (an "automatic call" according to CBS's Clark Kellogg) and Ted Valentine has to come from out of nowhere to make the call that Tony Greene was obviously eyeing, yet chose to ignore.
Three minutes later, UNC's Larry Drew II raises his arm to charge into UK's Eric Bledsoe and Tony Greene, never one to miss an opportunity, somehow calls Bledsoe for the block, Bledsoe's second foul.
Two minutes later, after two electrifying plays by Kentucky superstar John Wall cut Carolina's early 7-point lead to 3, Tony Greene looks RIGHT AT at obvious travel by UNC's Tyler Zeller and doesn't blow his whistle. Of course, Ted Valentine (NOT "on the take") instincively blows his whistle even though he's not the official on top of the play. The right call is made, in spite of Tony Greene's efforts.
Use Calls To Stop Momentum By The Team You Are Not Helping
After a 13-0 run stretches UK's lead to 6, Tony Greene senses the game getting away from him. Since UNC's Roy Williams often eschews time-outs to stop his opponent's momentum, Tony Greene must "call" one for him. Thus, 7 1/2 minutes into the game, Tony Greene calls Kentucky's Daniel Orton for some sort of foul when replays show CLEARLY that UNC's Tyler Zeller, battling Patterson for post position, elbows Orton. So far, there has been no game all season where Tony Greene's bias was more on display early than today.
But not even the questionable officiating of Tony Greene (note that Ted Valentine and Mike Eades appeared to be totally "on the level") could stop the Big Blue, and before Tony Greene knew what hit him,the UK lead was stretched to 19 and the rout appeared to be on. Even with North Carolina beginning to hit a few shots, Kentucky was able to take a 15-point lead into the locker room.
And then Tony Greene got a break. John Wall exited the game about a minute into the second half with some sort of leg injury, and North Carolina began a 10-0 run to cut the Kentucky lead to 7, well within striking distance of not only the spread but also the game itself. During the UNC run, Tony Greene was able to avoid an obvious foul call on North Carolina during a DeMarcus Cousins putback. Whereas Tony Greene was willing to call a phantom call on Kentucky in the first half in an attempt to stop a Kentucky run, he was unwilling to call an actual call on North Carolina that could have curtailed a UNC run during the second half. It's these sort sof obviously hypocritical double standards that made ITGOTT actually begin this blog.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Even with John Wall on the bench, Kentucky was able to maintain its lead, which was 12 when Wall returned with just under 12 minutes to go in the game. But then a North Carolina run, uninterrupted by any calls, cut the Kentucky lead to 5, and everything - the spread AND the outcome - was back in play. With 8 minutes to play, Kentucky Patrick Patterson was obviously fouled on a drive into the lane, and Tony Greene stood by idly, even extending his arms to the side as the ball trickled out of bounds after the non-call as if to indicate, "I didn't see anything!" in a bad imitation of Sergeant Schultz from Hogan's Heroes.
Then with 5 1/2 minutes to play, Tony Greene looks right at Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins being fouled on an offensive rebound attempt, and again swallows his whistle. North Carolina is able to continue to chip away at Kentucky's lead, and with 4 1/2 minute to go in the game, Kentucky's lead was only 3. And oh by the way, North Carolina, with the points, was now a successful "back door cover" on a Vegas bet, just like an official "on the take" for North Carolina would want.
Make The Big Call At The End
It's Better To Be Lucky Than Good
An official "on the take" who has to make a big call at the end of a game to ensure the game - or the spread - goes the way he wants has cut it pretty close. Sometimes the big call at the end comes to that official - as it did to Tony Greene three nights ago when he overruled a fellow official on a crucial charge/block call that helped Vanderbilt cover the spread against Missouri (http://istonygreeneonthetake.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-16-missouri-vanderbilt-dec-2-2009.html) - and sometimes the potential big calls simply don't come to the official "on the take."
Today, the opportunity for the big call at the end didn't come to Tony Greene. With Kentucky up by 2 and with the ball inside of 35 seconds to play (so with no shot clock), North Carolina was forced to foul. Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe hit his free throws, and on the ensuing possession, Mike Eades was the official in position to declare that the ball bounced out of bounds after North Carolina touched it. UNC fouled again, Bledsoe hit a free throw to push the lead to 5, but a UNC tip with 7 seconds to go cut the lead to 3.
UNC was still forced to foul, and this time John Wall sank both free throws and pushed the lead to 5.
BUT... a meaningless three at the buzzer by North Carolina flips the spread. UK wins 68-66, and if you took North Carolina and the points, YOU WIN (just like it appeared all game that Tony Greene wanted)!!!
It's better to be lucky than good.
LINE - Kentucky - 4
RESULT - Kentucky 68-66, North Carolina gets a backdoor cover
Tony Greene showed up in Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, KY, today, to work the highly anticipated tilt between #10 North Carolina and #5 Kentucky.
With A Small Spread, Keep The Team You Are Helping Close Early
And by "early," Tony Greene apparently thought REALLY early. 2 seconds in and it was obvious where this game was headed, if Tony Greene had any say in it. Tony Greene tosses the ball up for the opening tap, Kentucky's John Wall is tripped (an "automatic call" according to CBS's Clark Kellogg) and Ted Valentine has to come from out of nowhere to make the call that Tony Greene was obviously eyeing, yet chose to ignore.
Three minutes later, UNC's Larry Drew II raises his arm to charge into UK's Eric Bledsoe and Tony Greene, never one to miss an opportunity, somehow calls Bledsoe for the block, Bledsoe's second foul.
Two minutes later, after two electrifying plays by Kentucky superstar John Wall cut Carolina's early 7-point lead to 3, Tony Greene looks RIGHT AT at obvious travel by UNC's Tyler Zeller and doesn't blow his whistle. Of course, Ted Valentine (NOT "on the take") instincively blows his whistle even though he's not the official on top of the play. The right call is made, in spite of Tony Greene's efforts.
Use Calls To Stop Momentum By The Team You Are Not Helping
After a 13-0 run stretches UK's lead to 6, Tony Greene senses the game getting away from him. Since UNC's Roy Williams often eschews time-outs to stop his opponent's momentum, Tony Greene must "call" one for him. Thus, 7 1/2 minutes into the game, Tony Greene calls Kentucky's Daniel Orton for some sort of foul when replays show CLEARLY that UNC's Tyler Zeller, battling Patterson for post position, elbows Orton. So far, there has been no game all season where Tony Greene's bias was more on display early than today.
But not even the questionable officiating of Tony Greene (note that Ted Valentine and Mike Eades appeared to be totally "on the level") could stop the Big Blue, and before Tony Greene knew what hit him,the UK lead was stretched to 19 and the rout appeared to be on. Even with North Carolina beginning to hit a few shots, Kentucky was able to take a 15-point lead into the locker room.
And then Tony Greene got a break. John Wall exited the game about a minute into the second half with some sort of leg injury, and North Carolina began a 10-0 run to cut the Kentucky lead to 7, well within striking distance of not only the spread but also the game itself. During the UNC run, Tony Greene was able to avoid an obvious foul call on North Carolina during a DeMarcus Cousins putback. Whereas Tony Greene was willing to call a phantom call on Kentucky in the first half in an attempt to stop a Kentucky run, he was unwilling to call an actual call on North Carolina that could have curtailed a UNC run during the second half. It's these sort sof obviously hypocritical double standards that made ITGOTT actually begin this blog.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Even with John Wall on the bench, Kentucky was able to maintain its lead, which was 12 when Wall returned with just under 12 minutes to go in the game. But then a North Carolina run, uninterrupted by any calls, cut the Kentucky lead to 5, and everything - the spread AND the outcome - was back in play. With 8 minutes to play, Kentucky Patrick Patterson was obviously fouled on a drive into the lane, and Tony Greene stood by idly, even extending his arms to the side as the ball trickled out of bounds after the non-call as if to indicate, "I didn't see anything!" in a bad imitation of Sergeant Schultz from Hogan's Heroes.
Then with 5 1/2 minutes to play, Tony Greene looks right at Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins being fouled on an offensive rebound attempt, and again swallows his whistle. North Carolina is able to continue to chip away at Kentucky's lead, and with 4 1/2 minute to go in the game, Kentucky's lead was only 3. And oh by the way, North Carolina, with the points, was now a successful "back door cover" on a Vegas bet, just like an official "on the take" for North Carolina would want.
Make The Big Call At The End
It's Better To Be Lucky Than Good
An official "on the take" who has to make a big call at the end of a game to ensure the game - or the spread - goes the way he wants has cut it pretty close. Sometimes the big call at the end comes to that official - as it did to Tony Greene three nights ago when he overruled a fellow official on a crucial charge/block call that helped Vanderbilt cover the spread against Missouri (http://istonygreeneonthetake.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-16-missouri-vanderbilt-dec-2-2009.html) - and sometimes the potential big calls simply don't come to the official "on the take."
Today, the opportunity for the big call at the end didn't come to Tony Greene. With Kentucky up by 2 and with the ball inside of 35 seconds to play (so with no shot clock), North Carolina was forced to foul. Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe hit his free throws, and on the ensuing possession, Mike Eades was the official in position to declare that the ball bounced out of bounds after North Carolina touched it. UNC fouled again, Bledsoe hit a free throw to push the lead to 5, but a UNC tip with 7 seconds to go cut the lead to 3.
UNC was still forced to foul, and this time John Wall sank both free throws and pushed the lead to 5.
BUT... a meaningless three at the buzzer by North Carolina flips the spread. UK wins 68-66, and if you took North Carolina and the points, YOU WIN (just like it appeared all game that Tony Greene wanted)!!!
It's better to be lucky than good.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Game 17 - Elon @ Samford; Dec. 3, 2009
Another night, another non-televised game for Tony Greene.
So no review from ITGOTT.
So no review from ITGOTT.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Game 16 - Missouri @ Vanderbilt - Dec. 2, 2009
GAME - Missouri @ Vanderbilt; Wednesday, December 2, 2009
LINE - Vanderbilt - 3 1/2
RESULT - Vanderbilt covers, winning 89-83
Tony Greene popped up in Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Vanderbilt University tonight, working his 16th college basketball game of the season and his first televised game in more than a week. ITGOTT was there to review his performance.
This was the most exciting game Tony Greene has worked all year, and he made a call with 22.2 second to go that almost certainly affected the betting outcome. More on that later.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
Vanderbilt had an enormous size advantage, with Mizzou missing two of its bigger players, and the first half was very physical. The officials let them play early, and Vandy streaked out early; Mizzou came back; then Vandy streaked again to enjoy a 6-point halftime lead.
Tony Greene went largely unnoticed early, but the other two officials - Les Jones and Pat Adams - made several calls that went AGAINST Vanderbilt, earning the ire of the Vandy crowd. A call that went against Vandy was made by an out-of-position Les Jones with 4:53 to go in the first half, and Vandy coach Kevin Stallings was not impressed.
A note on Les Jones: while this blog reviews Tony Greene's work, of course ITGOTT notices other officials. And tonight Les Jones was VERY noticeable. He seemed to be out of position, often trailing the play, all night. It was as if he was out of shape and unable to keep up with the action. And if he demonstrated a visible 10-second count once tonight, ITGOTT never saw it. Truly a bad performance.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Missouri's shooting was so poor, and Vanderbilt's size advantage and rebounding so dominant (at games end, Vandy outrebounded Mizzou 45-24) that the Commodores slowly nudged their lead to double digits. With 5 1/2 minutes to play, Vanderbilt led by 14, easily covering the spread.
Use Calls To Stop Momentum Of The Team You Are Not Helping
But Missouri went to work and began hitting their shots and forcing repeated Vanderbilt turnovers. With momentum beginning to swing Missouri's way, Tony Greene steps in and makes a call with 3:54 to go sends Vandy to the line and they push their lead back to 4, where it remains until 2:30 to play. The spread is definitely in doubt, in either direction.
Make The Big Call At The End
The Charge/Block Call - It Can Always Go Either Way, So Make Sure It Goes Your Way
With Vandy clinging to a 3-point lead inside of a minute to play, no calls are made at all during frenetic segment with both teams battling, sttempting steals, making turnovers, etc. With 22 seconds to go and Mizzou STILL down three and with the ball, Mizzou guard JT Tiller drives to the hoop and his shot is swatted out of bounds.
Whistles blow. A foul is called. Tony Greene signals charge on Tiller, giving Vanderbilt the ball with a 3-point lead and 22 seconds to play. According to Jay Williams, working color commentary for ESPNU, Pat Adams signals a block on Vanderbilt, giving Tiller free throws.
Guess who wins this battle. Our man Tony Greene. Even though Jay Williams says clearly that the Vandy player was "moving" and the call should have been a block, Tony Greene prevails. Mizzou is forced to foul, and Vandy's free throws result in a 6-point win. Vandy covers the spread, and Tony Greene's big call with 22.2 seconds to go preserves that cover.
LINE - Vanderbilt - 3 1/2
RESULT - Vanderbilt covers, winning 89-83
Tony Greene popped up in Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of Vanderbilt University tonight, working his 16th college basketball game of the season and his first televised game in more than a week. ITGOTT was there to review his performance.
This was the most exciting game Tony Greene has worked all year, and he made a call with 22.2 second to go that almost certainly affected the betting outcome. More on that later.
If The Team You Are Helping Has Bigger Players, Let The Game Be More Physical
Vanderbilt had an enormous size advantage, with Mizzou missing two of its bigger players, and the first half was very physical. The officials let them play early, and Vandy streaked out early; Mizzou came back; then Vandy streaked again to enjoy a 6-point halftime lead.
Tony Greene went largely unnoticed early, but the other two officials - Les Jones and Pat Adams - made several calls that went AGAINST Vanderbilt, earning the ire of the Vandy crowd. A call that went against Vandy was made by an out-of-position Les Jones with 4:53 to go in the first half, and Vandy coach Kevin Stallings was not impressed.
A note on Les Jones: while this blog reviews Tony Greene's work, of course ITGOTT notices other officials. And tonight Les Jones was VERY noticeable. He seemed to be out of position, often trailing the play, all night. It was as if he was out of shape and unable to keep up with the action. And if he demonstrated a visible 10-second count once tonight, ITGOTT never saw it. Truly a bad performance.
When Things Are Going Your Way, Swallow Your Whistle
Missouri's shooting was so poor, and Vanderbilt's size advantage and rebounding so dominant (at games end, Vandy outrebounded Mizzou 45-24) that the Commodores slowly nudged their lead to double digits. With 5 1/2 minutes to play, Vanderbilt led by 14, easily covering the spread.
Use Calls To Stop Momentum Of The Team You Are Not Helping
But Missouri went to work and began hitting their shots and forcing repeated Vanderbilt turnovers. With momentum beginning to swing Missouri's way, Tony Greene steps in and makes a call with 3:54 to go sends Vandy to the line and they push their lead back to 4, where it remains until 2:30 to play. The spread is definitely in doubt, in either direction.
Make The Big Call At The End
The Charge/Block Call - It Can Always Go Either Way, So Make Sure It Goes Your Way
With Vandy clinging to a 3-point lead inside of a minute to play, no calls are made at all during frenetic segment with both teams battling, sttempting steals, making turnovers, etc. With 22 seconds to go and Mizzou STILL down three and with the ball, Mizzou guard JT Tiller drives to the hoop and his shot is swatted out of bounds.
Whistles blow. A foul is called. Tony Greene signals charge on Tiller, giving Vanderbilt the ball with a 3-point lead and 22 seconds to play. According to Jay Williams, working color commentary for ESPNU, Pat Adams signals a block on Vanderbilt, giving Tiller free throws.
Guess who wins this battle. Our man Tony Greene. Even though Jay Williams says clearly that the Vandy player was "moving" and the call should have been a block, Tony Greene prevails. Mizzou is forced to foul, and Vandy's free throws result in a 6-point win. Vandy covers the spread, and Tony Greene's big call with 22.2 seconds to go preserves that cover.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Game 15 - Louisiana-Lafayette @ LSU; December 1, 2009
December opens with a 5th consecutive non-televised game worked by Tony Greene.
So, as the pattern is becoming, Tony Greene toils in relative obscurity, and no review of his work is possible.
Just like a man "on the take" would like it.
So, as the pattern is becoming, Tony Greene toils in relative obscurity, and no review of his work is possible.
Just like a man "on the take" would like it.
Game 14 - Troy @ Georgia Southern; November 29, 2009
For the fourth consecutive game, Tony Greene worked untelevised action. This time, it was when Troy visited Georgia Southern in Statesboro, GA. The game was won 80-77 by the homestanding Georgia Southern ballclub, so apparently ITGOTT missed exciting action by not being in the building.
Thus, Tony Greene's work, for the fourth consecutive game, cannot be reviewed.
Thus, Tony Greene's work, for the fourth consecutive game, cannot be reviewed.
Game 13 - Rhode Island @ Davidson; November 28, 2009
Tony Greene was back in Davidson, NC, on Saturday, November 28, 2009, working the game between Rhode Island and Davidson.
This game was not televised, and although Davidson, NC, is a lovely burg, ITGOTT wasn't in the gymnasium, so we cannot review Tony Greene's work for the game.
This game was not televised, and although Davidson, NC, is a lovely burg, ITGOTT wasn't in the gymnasium, so we cannot review Tony Greene's work for the game.
Game 12 - Florida Atlantic @ South Florida; Nov. 27, 2009
Well, ITGOTT was wrong in our prediction that Tony Greene would turn up at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando.
Apparently avoiding all those pesky multi-team pre-conference tournaments, Tony Greene worked the Florida Atlantic at South Florida game on Friday, November 29, 2009.
The game was not televised, so we are unable to comment on Tony Greene's officiating.
Apparently avoiding all those pesky multi-team pre-conference tournaments, Tony Greene worked the Florida Atlantic at South Florida game on Friday, November 29, 2009.
The game was not televised, so we are unable to comment on Tony Greene's officiating.
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