LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 25: Kentucky Wildcats fans hold up signs during the game against the Cleveland State Vikings at Rupp Arena on November 25, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NCAABy Kevin Trahan on

Kentucky lost, 75-73, to North Carolina in the Elite Eight on Sunday, and Wildcats fans (and coach John Calipari) were quick to blame the officials.

“You know, it’s amazing that we were in that game where they practically fouled out my whole team,” Calipari said in his postgame press conference. “Amazing that we had a chance.”

Granted, it wasn’t a great game for the referees (I’ll even admit that), but perhaps Kentucky could have won if it got more out of star freshmen Malik Monk and Bam Abedayo. The loss wasn’t all on the officials.

But of course Kentucky fans aren’t having any of that rationality.

Kentucky fans found the Facebook page for referee John Higgins’ roofing company and sabotaged it with angry posts. The page has since been deleted.

According to ESPN, some fans went even further and called his home phone with death threats, and Higgins had to notify the police.

NCAA referee John Higgins met with law enforcement for more than two hours Tuesday after Kentucky fans sent death threats, repeatedly called his company’s office and home — despite an unlisted number — and posted a barrage of false messages about his business on the company’s Facebook page, sources told ESPN.

ESPN reports that Higgins is scheduled to work the Final Four.

A reminder to fans: Do not send death threats to referees, or to anyone.

About Kevin Trahan

Kevin mostly covers college football and college basketball, with an emphasis on NCAA issues and other legal issues in sports. He is also an incoming law student. He's written for SB Nation, USA Today, VICE Sports, The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He is a graduate of Northwestern University.

View all posts by Kevin Trahan

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