How will the Big East be officiated?

[hoyahooligan]

Marquette and Villanova ( the iterations like last year that actually play defense) all foul all the time because they play defense with their hands. I'm glad they'll be calling more of this stuff.

[butlerway]

There is a difference between "hacking" or "hand checking" and "playing defense with your hands" though. They need to cut down on the former, but there is no reason to completely get rid of the latter. The only way I'm ok with eliminating hands on defense is if you do the same to the offense. Get rid ball handlers using that off arm to create space or cutters using that push off to come free off screens. I've always been a big believer that offense and defense have the same right to the basketball.

[FriarJ]

NCAA games last year were boring, scoring was way down. The BE is on National TV all the time now. Expect the offenses to be favored. Fox Sports wants action not some Georgetown 42-39 score.

[GumbyDamnit!]

I always thought that Pitt and L'ville got away with too much handchecking, etc, in the BE. So if it cuts down on that kind of D in which a foul could be called on every possession, then I'm OK with it.

If anything, this change in officiating might REALLY benefit McDermott and Creighton. Going up against really physical teams night in and night out can be exhausting, and if you are being thrown into the fire without having experienced it consistently it is a HUGE disadvantage. But expect GM to get to the line a bunch this year, and for early bonus FT's around. Games might get long.

Marq and Nova thrive on extending pressure in the half court. This could def affect their effectiveness. F. Edwin is also a very physical permiter defender. He may not be as pesky this year as he normally is. I just don't want it to become like the NFL where a defensive player can't even tough an offensive player without a foul/penalty being called. Let 'em play.

[stever20]

I think the NCAA wants a more consistent reffing style, so I think we're going to find the refs calling a lot more of the bumps and handchecks than they have before. The first few weeks of the OOC season are going to be ugly, but then players should adjust.

[aughnanure]

Marquette and Villanova ( the iterations like last year that actually play defense) all foul all the time because they play defense with their hands. I'm glad they'll be calling more of this stuff.

Says a Georgetown fan? HA.

[Bluejay]

I like the changes, even though I think it will help the most athletic teams the most.

It seems that the last several years, teams have been able to absolutely maul offensive players without any calls. Some of the biggest culprits have been VCU and their "Havoc" defense, Louisville, Cincinnati and yes, Butler. Watching some of those games, I've felt that an official could call a foul on about every defensive possession, but routinely let them get away with murder. The results were really ugly, low scoring, snooze fests. They've made adjustments to the NBA to take out some of this ridiculousness and the product has improved greatly. The college rules committee is now trying to rectify the strange situation where college basketball is now more physical than pro basketball.

[marquette]

I like the changes, even though I think it will help the most athletic teams the most.

It seems that the last several years, teams have been able to absolutely maul offensive players without any calls. Some of the biggest culprits have been VCU and their "Havoc" defense, Louisville, Cincinnati and yes, Butler. Watching some of those games, I've felt that an official could call a foul on about every defensive possession, but routinely let them get away with murder. The results were really ugly, low scoring, snooze fests. They've made adjustments to the NBA to take out some of this ridiculousness and the product has improved greatly. The college rules committee is now trying to rectify the strange situation where college basketball is now more physical than pro basketball.

Personally I would rather have a physical game than the flopping all around the court that goes on in the pros (it does still happen some in college, but way less).

[Xubob]

Was at X's practice yesterday and Mack stopped play several times to talk about what he has been told regarding hands on defense. Very specific as to what officials have told him what will be allowed. Looks like initial hand check won't be called but if it remains persistent a foul will be called. Should be interesting, not taking all the physical play away but seems as if the holding, grabbing, etc. will no longer be allowed. Should open things up a bit.

[DumpsterFireA10]

Funny you mention Havoc. I've talked to VCU fans who thought SLU got away with more fouls than Havoc did.

*probably need to adjust for bias, but an interesting observation.