As we wade into what feels like Hour 100 of the national championship game, it’s probably best to look at what’s gotten us here.
Mainly, it’s been some officiating that’s been questionable, maligned and mocked.
There have been a lot of whistles. Like, a ton. A massive amount. An enormity of foul calls.
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Was fired up all day to watch the two best teams in the country. Instead have been subjected to enduring the 3 best officials.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 4, 2017
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Have we considered the possibility that the officials are just competing with one another to receive Jim Nantz's tie?
— David Ubben (@davidubben) April 4, 2017
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All the progress college hoops has made the last few years? Making it way more watchable? This game is destroying that progress.
— Reid Forgrave (@ReidForgrave) April 4, 2017
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Even King James was displeased with the stripes.
Man I can't watch this anymore man! I would like to see the kids decide who wins the game! I mean Bruh!! Smh
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 4, 2017
Dwyane Wade, too.
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Let these kids play. Put the whistles away.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 4, 2017
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Yes, officiating college basketball games is very difficult. Yes, the refs are under impossible scrutiny in a game like the national title with so many people watching and the stakes are so high.
When you’re universal derided and jeered, though, you might not have whistled up to the standard deserving of the moment.
If you guys pay my salary until I'm hireable again, I'll run on the floor and steal the whistles from these refs.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 4, 2017
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One Shining Moment is going to be three minutes of the officiating crew.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 4, 2017
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At the end of the day, this was a dream title game matchup between two accomplished programs and teams. What we got for much of Monday night, though, was a bunch of jokes about how bad the officiating became. Not exactly a great showcase for the sport.