The Duke loss tonight proves my theory and the ref apologist are not going to like it

[The Wop]

I have been saying all year, and absorbing much criticism from the ref apologists, that Duke and Carolina get preferential treatment from the ACC officials by order of the commissioners office to insure high seedings in the NCAA tournament and to continue recruiting dominance over others in the ACC.

Duke was playing a team tonight that arguably should not have even been in the tournament as the 92nd rated RPI team in the NCAA. They got in because of the auto bid rule by winning their minor league conference. This argument is NOT a debate of the auto bid rule or the RPI, but rather the ACC and their cheating officials. You see Duke was given a high seed based on flawed results, got to play very close to home, and were playing a 15 seed or a "patsy".

But what Duke did NOT get to do is bring their three extra players, the ACC refs, with them. Without their henchmen, they had to win the game fairly by themselves, something they were not used to doing. In the ACC when things got tight they could always depend on the ref to bail them out with some ridiculously obviously bad call against their opponent. They actually looked surprised when charging and blocking calls went against them. Their "tight" fouling defense was actually called fouls by this crew as they should have been. The officials for tonight's game should be commended for calling a fair game, something that other teams in the ACC do not get to experience when playing Duke or Carolina. It was very satisfying to watch Duke get beaten as they should have been for much of the ACC season if not for the ACC refs.

[Hoakie82]

I think it had a lot more to do with the lose of their big man than it did with the refs. Plus, Duke was probably higher seeded than they should have been.

[133743Hokie]

I think it had a lot more to do with the lose of their big man than it did with the refs. Plus, Duke was probably higher seeded than they should have been.

Yeah, Duke was overseeded. And tisi is not one of their more talented teams. They only have one legit "Duke" caliber guard and no stud player on the wing

[HokieDBA]

Totally agree - two of the three refs didn't do a game with an ACC team all yesr. The third ref had two OOC ACC games, neither on an ACC court. These guys didn't know Coach K and weren't trying to suck up to him like the typical group of retread refs that always seem to show up at Cameron to go 8 VS 5 with the dookies.

[VPI63]

I have been saying all year, and absorbing much criticism from the ref apologists, that Duke and Carolina get preferential treatment from the ACC officials by order of the commissioners office to insure high seedings in the NCAA tournament and to continue recruiting dominance over others in the ACC.

Duke was playing a team tonight that arguably should not have even been in the tournament as the 92nd rated RPI team in the NCAA. They got in because of the auto bid rule by winning their minor league conference. This argument is NOT a debate of the auto bid rule or the RPI, but rather the ACC and their cheating officials. You see Duke was given a high seed based on flawed results, got to play very close to home, and were playing a 15 seed or a "patsy".

But what Duke did NOT get to do is bring their three extra players, the ACC refs, with them. Without their henchmen, they had to win the game fairly by themselves, something they were not used to doing. In the ACC when things got tight they could always depend on the ref to bail them out with some ridiculously obviously bad call against their opponent. They actually looked surprised when charging and blocking calls went against them. Their "tight" fouling defense was actually called fouls by this crew as they should have been. The officials for tonight's game should be commended for calling a fair game, something that other teams in the ACC do not get to experience when playing Duke or Carolina. It was very satisfying to watch Duke get beaten as they should have been for much of the ACC season if not for the ACC refs.

I generally am against using the refs "screwed us" as an excuse, so perhaps, in your mind, that makes me a "ref apologist".

Having said that, I tend to agree with your assessment. The Duke players obviously looked very surprised and sometimes rattled when the call (s) didn't go their way. It's been a long time since the Feret had to coach with 4 guys with 4 fouls!!

The other team had 2 players that were either equal 2 or better than Duke's best player. They were the better team.

OTOH, Duke has won how many NCAATs without the ACC officials? And UNC as well?

Clearly, these teams had to have the talent to get it done without the edge you describe above.

Other than the ACC getting wacked, a very satifying game.

[Gator Hokie]

Considering both programs have won national titles over the years despite not having ACC refs I'd say your theory is far from proven. In fact, it's pretty bogus.

[amptech]

I have been saying all year, and absorbing much criticism from the ref apologists, that Duke and Carolina get preferential treatment from the ACC officials by order of the commissioners office to insure high seedings in the NCAA tournament and to continue recruiting dominance over others in the ACC.

Duke was playing a team tonight that arguably should not have even been in the tournament as the 92nd rated RPI team in the NCAA. They got in because of the auto bid rule by winning their minor league conference. This argument is NOT a debate of the auto bid rule or the RPI, but rather the ACC and their cheating officials. You see Duke was given a high seed based on flawed results, got to play very close to home, and were playing a 15 seed or a "patsy".

But what Duke did NOT get to do is bring their three extra players, the ACC refs, with them. Without their henchmen, they had to win the game fairly by themselves, something they were not used to doing. In the ACC when things got tight they could always depend on the ref to bail them out with some ridiculously obviously bad call against their opponent. They actually looked surprised when charging and blocking calls went against them. Their "tight" fouling defense was actually called fouls by this crew as they should have been. The officials for tonight's game should be commended for calling a fair game, something that other teams in the ACC do not get to experience when playing Duke or Carolina. It was very satisfying to watch Duke get beaten as they should have been for much of the ACC season if not for the ACC refs.

What your post proves is how little one observation, one win one loss can be so blown out of proportion. It's like saying that our loss to JMU "proves" VT football is all about favoritism by refs etc. One observation, just about as valid.

Now for something on the other side to put in on the calls. Duke and UNC are just so much more talented that their players do the small things that get the calls whereas generally VT or similar opponents are playing so wide open, we simply are not as under control as say Duke or UNC. That is how we have to play against superior talent, like our hair is on fire. But you see your complaint in every conference and it stems that somehow the refs "should" award the underdog some leeway.

Nothing is proven except the falsehood of refs, ACC or otherwise being totally sold out to a couple of teams.

Do they make some questionable calls? Sure they do but we only remember the ones that go against the team we are rooting for.

[NC Hoke]

I have been saying all year, and absorbing much criticism from the ref apologists, that Duke and Carolina get preferential treatment from the ACC officials by order of the commissioners office to insure high seedings in the NCAA tournament and to continue recruiting dominance over others in the ACC.

Duke was playing a team tonight that arguably should not have even been in the tournament as the 92nd rated RPI team in the NCAA. They got in because of the auto bid rule by winning their minor league conference. This argument is NOT a debate of the auto bid rule or the RPI, but rather the ACC and their cheating officials. You see Duke was given a high seed based on flawed results, got to play very close to home, and were playing a 15 seed or a "patsy".

But what Duke did NOT get to do is bring their three extra players, the ACC refs, with them. Without their henchmen, they had to win the game fairly by themselves, something they were not used to doing. In the ACC when things got tight they could always depend on the ref to bail them out with some ridiculously obviously bad call against their opponent. They actually looked surprised when charging and blocking calls went against them. Their "tight" fouling defense was actually called fouls by this crew as they should have been. The officials for tonight's game should be commended for calling a fair game, something that other teams in the ACC do not get to experience when playing Duke or Carolina. It was very satisfying to watch Duke get beaten as they should have been for much of the ACC season if not for the ACC refs.

Wow, wonder how Duke ever won those 4 national championships without their 3 extra players?

I look forward to the day we have something to cheer about in March other than some other team losing.

[Hokie Ace]

But on a positive note, they didn't have far to drive back home. TIC

[Vippie1]

I agree with you, but is it possible the refs in the Norfolk State game, and the Lehigh game saw what happened to UNC Asheville, and did not want it to seem like they were told to have the higher seeds advance?