What happened with the refs this past year?

[Hkjb]

As a longtime fan, I've always felt we got the shaft from refs, even on our home court. Not really sure if I'm just a homer or if that's really been the case.
I also had the impression that CC was a bit of a whiner in a way that neither charmed nor intimidated the refs.

What does seem clear is that this past year we at least didn't get the shaft. So much so that a lot of opposing fans were whining about bad calls in our favour.
So what changed?

a) An intimidating home crowd?
b) Did CC change his approach with refs?
c) B1G wanted to even the scales for some reason?
d) some other rebalancing of karma?

Though it seems clear that something has changed for the better, I have no idea what actually changed, or why.

Any theories?

 

[eastbaycat99]

As a longtime fan, I've always felt we got the shaft from refs, even on our home court. Not really sure if I'm just a homer or if that's really been the case.
I also had the impression that CC was a bit of a whiner in a way that neither charmed nor intimidated the refs.

What does seem clear is that this past year we at least didn't get the shaft. So much so that a lot of opposing fans were whining about bad calls in our favour.
So what changed?

a) An intimidating home crowd?
b) Did CC change his approach with refs?
c) B1G wanted to even the scales for some reason?
d) some other rebalancing of karma?

Though it seems clear that something has changed for the better, I have no idea what actually changed, or why.

Any theories?

1) They brought in an assistant coach who knew something about defensive technique.

2) They had a center who could move his feet on defense.

3) They did not have Pete Nance, who tended to reach a lot.

4) Going backe to 20-21 comparison, they didn't have Miller Kopp, who played defense as an afterthought.

5) On offense Buie was quick and confident moving through picks and forcing defenders to reach and fight, Barnhizer knew how to leverage. And Audige added physical strength that forced defenders to really whack him to stop him.

In short, they played better defense and physically stronger offense.

Geez.

 

[TheC]

The Illuminati stepped in and put a stop to it.

 

[UpsetAlert]

As a longtime fan, I've always felt we got the shaft from refs, even on our home court. Not really sure if I'm just a homer or if that's really been the case.
I also had the impression that CC was a bit of a whiner in a way that neither charmed nor intimidated the refs.

What does seem clear is that this past year we at least didn't get the shaft. So much so that a lot of opposing fans were whining about bad calls in our favour.
So what changed?

a) An intimidating home crowd?
b) Did CC change his approach with refs?
c) B1G wanted to even the scales for some reason?
d) some other rebalancing of karma?

Though it seems clear that something has changed for the better, I have no idea what actually changed, or why.

Any theories?

Didn’t help us vs. UCLA.

 

[EagerFan]

There were, as always, tons and tons of bad calls. There are some refs who just shouldn't be working at this level.

I also agree about the defensive coaching tho as the team as a whole got noticeably better at staying in front of players and almost completely stopped reaching as guys blew by or after a shot went up.

 

[GatoLouco]

Refereeing has always been biased towards winners and more physical teams. We were both last year.

But don't discount our own biases and how more easily we blame the zebras when we are losing.

 

[SmellyCat]

Some of the change might be anecdotal or just in our imaginations, as we're obviously most focused on one team.

But I like eastbaycat99's post as reasons it might not just be in our heads.

 

[elgatoloco]

1. Big noisy crowds tend to help the home team get 50/50 calls.
2. I've always had an unfounded belief when teams become known for playing defense, they tend to get the benefit of the doubt from officials.
3. This team was really good at moving their feet.
4. Having a rim protector helps.
5. Players are capable of more defensively as they get older.

 

[Hkjb]

Eastbaycat's points make sense to me too. An illustration of how good defensive fundamentals can have a much wider impact.

 

[Hkjb]

After seeing Zach Edey bleed like Jesus nailed to a cross, I realized that he was being sacrificed for the appeasement of NU fans.

That was clearly ketchup.

 

[lunker35]

Bo Boroski retired.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

As a longtime fan, I've always felt we got the shaft from refs, even on our home court. Not really sure if I'm just a homer or if that's really been the case.
I also had the impression that CC was a bit of a whiner in a way that neither charmed nor intimidated the refs.

What does seem clear is that this past year we at least didn't get the shaft. So much so that a lot of opposing fans were whining about bad calls in our favour.
So what changed?

a) An intimidating home crowd?
b) Did CC change his approach with refs?
c) B1G wanted to even the scales for some reason?
d) some other rebalancing of karma?

Though it seems clear that something has changed for the better, I have no idea what actually changed, or why.

Any theories?

We actually won games so opposing fan bases actually had something to whine about for once. Whining about officiating is the eternal crying wolf of many dull sports fans.

We aren’t used to giving other fan bases much to cry about.