I said I wasn't going to say anything else in this thread but I've got to address this.

 

No one is saying the guy is not a good referee. But it does appear in the Kentucky games that I've seen him officiate that UK gets the short end of the stick when it comes to his game decisions. I mean, there couldn't have been worse calls than the call against Miller vs UConn in 2011. Miller is standing straight up under the goal not touching anyone a the Huskies player simply jumped to his right and flopped down, and Higgins raised his arm and called a foul on Miller. Later in the game the same ploy was pulled against Liggins with the same result. And in 2014 vs UConn Poythress scored a basket on the baseline and a Huskies defender jumped backwards and flopped and Higgins wiped off the points and called Alex for a foul. Those are huge calls. He was also part of the shot clock violation points that Wisconsin got in 2015 that wasn't disallowed even after they were scored after the shot light and horn sounded. That was huge at the time in the game.

So, I'm not saying he isn't a good ref when he chooses to be, but in the UK games he has worked he makes it look too obvious. He's human just like everyone and has emotions and feelings, maybe he doesnt like UK or Cal, or whatever.

He also does this in other games I've seen him officiate not involving Kentucky. He seems to lean toward one team over the other in some games. When a referee sticks out to where he is noticed more than the game or the other two referees then there's something wrong with that referee.

As far as his being awarded the Final Four I don't know what kind of system they use to determine that but I'm believing it has to be political in some way because there's no way this guy deserves to be a part of the Final Four. However, I'm sure UNC is tickled pink. Meeks finished Sunday's game with about 9 fouls but as we know most werent called. Not looking good for Oregon and the other two.

 

atm10, to say that this guy called a good game Sunday is either you just refusing to see or being biased toward referees. Not all referees are on the up and up. Higgins has a history with Kentucky and when he's involved in their game key players usually go to the bench early, points are wiped off, flop fouls are called, etc.

 

And as for people harassing Higgins' business and personal life, I'm 100% against that. 300 or 400 reviews of a business (several probably done by the same people over and over) is a small number when speaking of the thousands that represent BBN. The people doing that aren't 1 or 2% of the fan base. There's idiots in every fan base but because Kentucky has the largest college basketball fan base in the country and is high profile ours stands out more when this kind of nonsense happens.

 

And lastly, JOHN HIGGINS DOESN'T DESERVE TO OFFICIATE IN THE FINAL FOUR.

Call it bias if you want. That's my opinion. To support this guy and others like him is bias in itself.

 

couldn't agree more

Death threats to a ref – the lunatics are threatening to overtake Kentucky'''s fan base

 

For those of you that don't like to click on Pat Forde's articles. This is one.

For those of you that don't like to click on Pat Forde's articles. This is one.

 

Forde nails it with this article.

Forde nails it with this article.

 

I thought it was a good evaluation.

I said I wasn't going to say anything else in this thread but I've got to address this.

 

No one is saying the guy is not a good referee. But it does appear in the Kentucky games that I've seen him officiate that UK gets the short end of the stick when it comes to his game decisions. I mean, there couldn't have been worse calls than the call against Miller vs UConn in 2011. Miller is standing straight up under the goal not touching anyone a the Huskies player simply jumped to his right and flopped down, and Higgins raised his arm and called a foul on Miller. Later in the game the same ploy was pulled against Liggins with the same result. And in 2014 vs UConn Poythress scored a basket on the baseline and a Huskies defender jumped backwards and flopped and Higgins wiped off the points and called Alex for a foul. Those are huge calls. He was also part of the shot clock violation points that Wisconsin got in 2015 that wasn't disallowed even after they were scored after the shot light and horn sounded. That was huge at the time in the game.

So, I'm not saying he isn't a good ref when he chooses to be, but in the UK games he has worked he makes it look too obvious. He's human just like everyone and has emotions and feelings, maybe he doesnt like UK or Cal, or whatever.

He also does this in other games I've seen him officiate not involving Kentucky. He seems to lean toward one team over the other in some games. When a referee sticks out to where he is noticed more than the game or the other two referees then there's something wrong with that referee.

As far as his being awarded the Final Four I don't know what kind of system they use to determine that but I'm believing it has to be political in some way because there's no way this guy deserves to be a part of the Final Four. However, I'm sure UNC is tickled pink. Meeks finished Sunday's game with about 9 fouls but as we know most werent called. Not looking good for Oregon and the other two.

 

atm10, to say that this guy called a good game Sunday is either you just refusing to see or being biased toward referees. Not all referees are on the up and up. Higgins has a history with Kentucky and when he's involved in their game key players usually go to the bench early, points are wiped off, flop fouls are called, etc.

 

And as for people harassing Higgins' business and personal life, I'm 100% against that. 300 or 400 reviews of a business (several probably done by the same people over and over) is a small number when speaking of the thousands that represent BBN. The people doing that aren't 1 or 2% of the fan base. There's idiots in every fan base but because Kentucky has the largest college basketball fan base in the country and is high profile ours stands out more when this kind of nonsense happens.

 

And lastly, JOHN HIGGINS DOESN'T DESERVE TO OFFICIATE IN THE FINAL FOUR.

Call it bias if you want. That's my opinion. To support this guy and others like him is bias in itself.

 

Obviously your opinion doesn't matter as should be the case. He is working this weekend bc his bosses graded him one of the 9 best

Obviously your opinion doesn't matter as should be the case. He is working this weekend bc his bosses graded him one of the 9 best

 

Fair enough. That's what this board is about, opinions. Just thought I'd express mine.

 

What's your opinion of Higgins as a referee. You seem to know quite a bit about the business. Do you personally think he's one of the 9 best in the NCAA?

I've read several articles about the death threats and couldn't find any specifics. Just says "death threats". Does that mean 2, 3, 10, 100, more?

Fair enough. That's what this board is about, opinions. Just thought I'd express mine.

 

What's your opinion of Higgins as a referee. You seem to know quite a bit about the business. Do you personally think he's one of the 9 best in the NCAA?

 

No problem with you expressing an opinion, as you said that's what the board is for.

 

You can go back on the thread and see my remarks on the video that was marked "sabotage". My point is his Assignor the NCAA say that he is other wise he wouldn't be working a game this weekend. Another name some may know Doug Shows didn't grade out high enough to work the final four. Btw, Higgins is not on the championship game, again graded.

Just another typical UK season......getting used to it and things will not change as long as Cal stays at Ky....give him another raise and contract extension....and blame the officiating on the loss.....typical UK things that happen after another subpar season.....freshman out = freshman in and same ole same ole will result....I never thought that in my lifetime that UK hoops would be in this kind of condition

Just another typical UK season......getting used to it and things will not change as long as Cal stays at Ky....give him another raise and contract extension....and blame the officiating on the loss.....typical UK things that happen after another subpar season.....freshman out = freshman in and same ole same ole will result....I never thought that in my lifetime that UK hoops would be in this kind of condition

 

Sub par season? ... well, keep these sub par seasons coming for the rest of my life ... please! I will take these sub par seasons and get an occasional above par that will be fantastic.

 

Plus, let's not confuse the 18%'ers and what they do with anything happening by those directly involved in the program. Those folks are going to act like this no matter who the coach is or what is happening in the program any time UK does not win a national title.

I don't think people understand the gravity of this:

 

Cal just wrapped up his eighth season at Kentucky.

 

Final Fours under Cal: 4

Final Fours 11 seasons before Cal: 0

Final Fours 25 seasons before Cal: 4

 

If the national title argument is the only one that people can lean on, first thing to remember is that if Cal were to win his second title at Kentucky, he'd be the only one other than the guy the arena is named after to do so. Only 14 coaches have ever done it anywhere. Only five have done it entirely in the 64+ NCAA Tournament era. It's not easy.

 

John's four Final Fours at Kentucky make him 13th all-time among coaches. That's just his time at UK, that's not even counting the vacated ones which if counted would have him tied for seventh.

 

I understand that some are frustrated he hasn't won more with the talent he's had. Yes, I wish he'd have converted more. I can and will argue he SHOULD'VE gotten it done in both 2010 & 2015. But it isn't easy. Dean Smith had talent oozing out of his program for how many years, and he won two. Dadgum Roy may get his third this season, but till now, only two. These guys were at blue blood programs for years upon years and that's all they converted. If you're comparing Cal to Coach K, well, Coach K may well be the greatest who has ever coached - that's a slightly unfair comparison.

 

I hope Cal stays a long, long time. I don't understand those who want to chase Cal because he hasn't won with the talent. Primarily because THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT TALENT WITH ANOTHER COACH.

All I can add to the above post is this ...

 

:clap: :notworthy: :thumb:

Just another typical UK season......getting used to it and things will not change as long as Cal stays at Ky....give him another raise and contract extension....and blame the officiating on the loss.....typical UK things that happen after another subpar season.....freshman out = freshman in and same ole same ole will result....I never thought that in my lifetime that UK hoops would be in this kind of condition

 

Stop harassing John Higgins.

I don't think people understand the gravity of this:

 

Cal just wrapped up his eighth season at Kentucky.

 

Final Fours under Cal: 4

Final Fours 11 seasons before Cal: 0

Final Fours 25 seasons before Cal: 4

 

If the national title argument is the only one that people can lean on, first thing to remember is that if Cal were to win his second title at Kentucky, he'd be the only one other than the guy the arena is named after to do so. Only 14 coaches have ever done it anywhere. Only five have done it entirely in the 64+ NCAA Tournament era. It's not easy.

 

John's four Final Fours at Kentucky make him 13th all-time among coaches. That's just his time at UK, that's not even counting the vacated ones which if counted would have him tied for seventh.

 

I understand that some are frustrated he hasn't won more with the talent he's had. Yes, I wish he'd have converted more. I can and will argue he SHOULD'VE gotten it done in both 2010 & 2015. But it isn't easy. Dean Smith had talent oozing out of his program for how many years, and he won two. Dadgum Roy may get his third this season, but till now, only two. These guys were at blue blood programs for years upon years and that's all they converted. If you're comparing Cal to Coach K, well, Coach K may well be the greatest who has ever coached - that's a slightly unfair comparison.

 

I hope Cal stays a long, long time. I don't understand those who want to chase Cal because he hasn't won with the talent. Primarily because THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT TALENT WITH ANOTHER COACH.

 

Amen!

Just another typical UK season......getting used to it and things will not change as long as Cal stays at Ky....give him another raise and contract extension....and blame the officiating on the loss.....typical UK things that happen after another subpar season.....freshman out = freshman in and same ole same ole will result....I never thought that in my lifetime that UK hoops would be in this kind of condition

You do realize that besides the 3 years stretch in the late 90's, that this is probably the most successful stretch in UK history. I don't quite understand what you mean by, " I never thought in my lifetime that UK would be in the condition." That just doesn't make any sense, unless you mean that you never thought UK would be a legitimate Final Four contender every year. Your statement just isn't congruent with reality.