Hilton Magic

I like to provide a little public service now and then and thought I would point out a few errors from last year's game in Allen Fieldhouse that the officials might like to correct before tomorrow.

1. Play cannot continue between free throws if a player is shooting two. This is absolutely critical. Although it may be tempting for a team to grab the rebound and run downcourt while the shooting team stands there, it is still a dead ball. It is crucial to know that there are two free throws and you must shoot both of them before play can continue.
2. Both feet must be behind the line for a three-point basket. Even if it is just a toe on the line the basket counts as two points. There was a problem with this at the end of the game last year allowing Kansas to win the game in overtime. Also, just in case the official isn't quite sure you are allowed to watch a replay of the shot to determine the correct call. They put the televisions on the sideline for just this purpose. It might seem like Max Falkentstein is using it to do the radio broadcast for another game but he's just really old and can't see the game in front of him.
3. The home team is called for the same fouls as the visiting team. Just because 16,000 people are cheering for one team does not allow them to grab the visiting guards as they dribble at the top of the key while they are called for hand checks on the opposite end. Either they're both fouls or they both aren't. "The Phog" isn't a code word for a different set of rules for each team.
4. Just because Kansas fans are whining about the officiating at the end of the Texas Tech game doesn't mean they deserve make up calls for the rest of the season. They always get those calls anyway so there's really no need to go overboard because the most visible team in the conference thinks they got jobbed.
5. This isn't really from the Kansas game last year but how can you call a charge and a block on the same play? And how can you not count that basket? Yes, I still hate Michigan State and I'm still bitter.

So, hopefully this will help create a fair game for both teams this Saturday.

And to the Cyclones, remember the words of Jamaal Tinsley before the 2001 Kansas game where he scored 18 points, dished 6 assists, and had three steals leading Iowa State to its fourth straight over the hawks.

"It's just another gym."

# posted by Ben @ 5:47 PM