Saturday’s MAC matchup between Ball State and Eastern Michigan appeared to be one of the poorer ends to a basketball game we’ve seen in some time, at least from an officiating standpoint.
During a second overtime, the Cardinals tried to foul EMU players or tie up the ball, yet the referees allowed play to continue without a whistle. Ball State’s Ryan Weber finally stole the ball from EMU’s Ethan Alvano, but clearly traveled before passing to Francis Kiapway for the game-winning three-pointer.
Typically, when a team is attempting to foul in a late-game situation, a referee is anything but hesitant to call a foul for the team trying to attempt one. It’s also rare when a referee doesn’t call a jump ball when possession was clearly held by players of each team.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this @BallStateMBB victory. @BallStateSports @MACSports #ALLIN #SCtop10https://t.co/sdCCwvPxK6
— Ball State Sports Link (@bsusportslink) January 23, 2016
“It was terrible,” EMU coach Rob Murphy said to the student newspaper Eastern Echo. “All three officials watched us get the rebound and consistently get fouled. […] The officials watched them travel, and they watched them shoot a three.
“[…] in my 20 years of coaching, that’s the worst ignored call or sequence I’ve ever seen. Those guys did a bad job throughout the game, but in particular on that play.”
Sunday, the Mid-American Conference suspended two of the three officials that were involved in Ball State’s 88-87 win over EMU. The conference did not specify who exactly the two were, but Todd Williams, John Gaston, and Robert Kruger were the three officiating the contest.
The suspended referees will miss two games and not work the MAC tournament in March. Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher explained his ruling in an official statement released by the conference.
“The final play of the game was not handled appropriately by several officials and unfortunately took away from what was a highly competitive and entertaining game for the competing students and fans. I along with our membership have higher expectations and as a result have directed our coordinator of men’s basketball officials to take appropriate disciplinary action, including multiple-game suspensions.”
More than ever this season, referees have been getting suspended for bad calls (or in this case, no calls). But it’s good to see conferences like the MAC put its foot down and hold officials accountable for doing their jobs poorly.
