Refs swallow whistles at end of Ball State-Eastern Michigan game

[Da Coach]

Sometimes refs will "let 'em play" at the end of a game, but this sequence of events is a bit ridiculous. Ball State was playing at Eastern Michigan, and the game was near the end of the 2nd overtime period. Eastern Michigan lead by two, but Ball State shot the ball for tie or take the lead, and missed as the clock was running out. That is when a series of possibly 3 or more violations (multiple fouls, and an obvious travelling by the Ball State player who gains possession and takes 3 or 4 steps) seemed to go unnoticed and uncalled by the refs, allowing Ball State to eventually wrestle the ball away from the EMU player who rebounded. Then Ball State sank a miracle three to win the game, to the displeasure of the EMU coach, players, and fans.

Watch here (it is the second of the embedded videos)-

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25459959/watch-what-were-the-refs-thinking-at-the-end-of-ball-states-2ot-win

[lefty]

That is crazy??¦??¦they were obviously scared to make a call

[tornado]

well, but if the refs judged there was no clear possession then it cannot be travelling - just like when kids roll & scramble on the floor but nobody has clear possession.
As for the foul calls, the Ball State kids might have been trying to foul to get the ball back but the refs weren't buying it

[Da Coach]

The Mid-American Conference announced tonight that they have suspended 2 of the referees who worked this Ball State-Eastern Michigan game that resulted in the bizarre ending. They will be suspended for 2 games, and banned from officiating in any of the MAC postseason games.

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2016/1/24/10823028/mac-suspends-referees-ball-state-emu-basketball

MAC statement-
On Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the end of the second overtime in the Ball State vs. Eastern Michigan men's basketball game, several errors were committed by two of the officials assigned to that game.

In response to these errors, the Mid-American Conference has suspended the officials from two conference games and they will not be considered for 2016 post-season assignments in the conference tournament.

The Mid-American Conference holds its officiating staff to the highest standards. To that end, multiple errors in judgment on one play, as in this case, must be met with swift and firm disciplinary action.


MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said:
"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."

[Da Coach]

Here is another unlikely ending to a college game that happened last night- Appalachian State went ahead by 3 points, 100-97, with 5 second left in the game. Georgia Southern then rushes down the court and scores a 4-point play at the buzzer to win the game.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25462266/amazing-ending-ga-southern-beats-app-state-on-improbable-4-point-play-video

[tornado]

there will always be debate about this...
but that's a classic example of why if you are UP THREE POINTS with seconds to go
then foul the other team way in the backcourt so that they shoot 2 FT's and don't have the chance to launch a game tying three pointer...