Kansas basketball: Let visitors worry about refs at Allen Fieldhouse
By Stan Unruh
Does the Kansas basketball team get a break from referees at Allen Fieldhouse? Mountaineer coach Bob Huggins wants the refs to explain.
The debate over foul calls for and against the Kansas basketball team at Allen Fieldhouse got hot over the weekend. West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins got so worked up refs tossed him from Saturday’s night’s Jayhawk 77-69 victory. After the game, Huggins continued to complain that his team only shot two free throws. Bill Self’s guys shot 35.
As a matter of fact, numerous state, regional and national media members indicated Huggins had no reason to complain. Hall of Fame coach Bill Self agreed the disparity was unusual. On the hand, Self is not known for saying much good or bad about officiating.
Most outside of West Virginia agreed the officials did a good job Saturday night. The officials called 26 fouls on the Mountaineers and just 14 on the Jayhawks. The running theme is that officials always call games in favor of home team at Allen Fieldhouse. They say the refs are partial to coach Self and intimidated by the 16,300 at the Phog. That’s what fans from Manhattan to Morgantown believe.
In last season’s incredible overtime victory, refs called just 4 more fouls on the Mountaineers than the Jayhawks. In the past two games at West Virginia, the Mountaineers committed 37 fouls. The guys in Crimson and Blue just 36 and Kansas only won 2 of those games.
After getting thrown out of Saturday’s game, Huggins said officials should have to answer media questions just like coaches and players. As a matter of fact, officials in many instances issue statements on controversial outcomes. Refs should not be required to come sit in front of the television cameras, radio microphones and writers following every game. They have enough pressure. They don’t always make the correct call but they do their best.
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Let visiting teams wonder
Do officials really give the Jayhawks an advantage at Allen Fieldhouse? Since Saturday, I’ve heard and read several reports that indicate that is not the case. However, I hope visiting teams think the refs favor the Jayhawks. Anything that intimidates opponents is an advantage. By the way, refs only called two more fouls on the Jayhawks than the Sooners in Monday’s 30-point blowout.