February 21, 201610 yr Man, come on. In what world is that not a technical? I'm 41 years old. I was 12 years old when I learned not to slam or spike the ball for any reason or it is a technical foul. All the rhetoric around whether this is a technical or not from talking heads is surprising. I get feeling bad for the kid because I do too but each and every person in here who has watched or played basketball for more than 2 years knows you can't slam the ball or it is a technical. And yes, if the roles were reversed and a Texas A&M player did the exact same thing Humphries did and it cost A&M the game most people would be saying the ref made the right call. You can't spike or slam the ball. Period. That is taught in middle school. This! Some refs call that and some don't. The same ref may call it on Tuesday and not call it on Saturday. They are human beings. I generally love Bilas and his insights but just because he doesn't think that warranted a T does not make it gospel. Don't throw the ball down and take the chance. Also, it would help if someone could get a defensive rebound now and then too...
February 21, 201610 yr Bilas 100% said the official would probably be fired if he didn't make the call. It was mostly in jest, but it was said... Long before that he said "This game has officially gone little league" and continued to ridicule the call for a minute or so. Must have gotten the word to lighten up, and then said "I guess if they don't make that call, they get fired".
February 21, 201610 yr Slamming the ball down as a delay of game technical was a point of emphasis a few years back. Doesn't have to be any unsportsmanlike intent. It's the rule and a recent point of emphasis. Training takes over and you make the call. Players knew it. Officials knew it. Bilas & others are looking at the call in the greater scheme of things. Just like a questionable pass interference late in a game or a hack when the player is driving to the bucket late in the game with the express purpose of trying to get that call. Those are discretion calls. This was not. He's right that if kid catches the ball at his waist, there is discretion. No delay. Seems like a "power dribble" and you can move on. Once it clears his hands / waist, it is fairly automatic that you're going to get the T called. Fairly automatic = Open to interpretation. As I stated before this call did not cost UK the game. It was just one call among many. Some of which could have gone either way!
February 21, 201610 yr Bottom line is Humphries made a mistake at a crucial point in the game and put the ref in a tough position. If he doesn't call the T the A&M fans would have been upset, saying he wimped out because UK is UK. So he had to make a judgement call and in his opinion Humphries' action caused a delay of game. I suppose that is what he based it on because it wasn't slammed in a fit of anger, rather it was done in a moment of euphoria. Hopefully Hump has learned a big lesson, and also taught his teammates what not to do in moments like that.
February 21, 201610 yr The blow from the loss of Willis could be lessened by the emergence of Humphries.
February 21, 201610 yr The blow from the loss of Willis could be lessened by the emergence of Humphries. Not sure I'll agree with that. Two different roles. Who would have ever thought UK fans would be fretting over DWillis' ankle?
February 21, 201610 yr I mentioned last night that I loved how Ulis reacted toward Humphries after he threw the ball to the floor. He patted him on the chest and you could tell he was telling him not to worry about it. Here was his quote about it after the game last night. “When Isaac [Humphries] got that big block, he’s a big reason why we were up at the end. Rebounding the ball, blocking shots, I mean he got it and we were all so excited and ran to him. He was excited as well. He started to throw it and he tried to [stop it] but it came out of his hands. He was saying sorry but he really has nothing to be sorry about. He was a big help in this game and did his job.” I love Ulis. The way he plays, the leadership he shows. I believe he has become my all time favorite UK player,
February 21, 201610 yr Not sure I'll agree with that. Two different roles. Who would have ever thought UK fans would be fretting over DWillis' ankle? Two different roles but any semblance of a low post presence is better than what they have had all season isn't it?
February 21, 201610 yr I have no problem with the T call, I was just wondering if that is something he may be used to doing or seeing in international play. The thing I liked best after the T were how both Ulis and Murray told him not to worry about it. Then Poythress and Lee were both talking to him on the bench. You could tell they were supportive.
February 21, 201610 yr The blow from the loss of Willis could be lessened by the emergence of Humphries. No. Willis is a stretch 4 who can defend multiple positions and and opens up the lane for UK guards. Hump is a classic back to basket banger and rebounder.
February 21, 201610 yr Then Poythress and Lee were both talking to him on the bench. You could tell they were supportive. I noticed that. His teammates showed great compassion and support. Heck, he's just an 18 year old who is learning the game day by day.
February 21, 201610 yr No. Willis is a stretch 4 who can defend multiple positions and and opens up the lane for UK guards. Hump is a classic back to basket banger and rebounder. Yes. I am aware. I'm speaking to the lack of a post presence all season long to possibly having one should Humphries continue to play and improve.
February 21, 201610 yr If that is indeed a pic of Willis' ankle he is going to be out for an extended period. Hate that for him.
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