Another Controversial Pac-10 Call Decides USC-ASU Game

After last week's two controversial calls that helped give UCLA a weekend sweep and the conference title, you'd think that this week's Pac-10 Tournament would feature better officiating -- or, perhaps more accurately, a lack of anything but the most obvious whistles in a particular situation. Of course, if you think that, then you don't know the Pac-10.

Arizona State's Jeff Pendergraph was whistled for an over-the-back call on a huge follow-dunk with 16.9 seconds left that would have tied the game at 57-57. USC's Davon Jefferson was right under the basket on the play and Pendergraph clearly went for the ball and barely touched him, but that didn't stop the whistle. Jefferson hit his free throws at the other end, and the Trojans eventually won 59-55. To get an idea of just how bad this call was, one need only listen to FSN announcers Barry Tompkins and Dan Belluomini in the video above. At first, they rightfully praise the play, then try to decide if the whistle was for goaltending, and then finally understand that it was a foul call.

One thing's for certain: the conspiracy theories won't hold here. ASU is squarely on the bubble and needed this game to put them in the NCAA field. USC has a bid locked up and is really only interested in seeding from here on out. This call was just a case of gross incompetency on the part of the officials. Frankly, it's even hard to say this was a shocking turn of events.

The real shame is that calls like this one make this game -- and, by extension, the league -- look bad. This was a great game, with All-Conference freshman guards OJ Mayo (23 points) and James Harden (16 points) facing off in a terrific battle of future NBA lottery picks. Unfortunately, the quality of play will go largely untouched, and we'll all focus on how arguably the best conference in the country has the worst officials around.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-13-2008 @ 8:09PM

§ said...

Well said, Ty. I can't believe the other 2 officials didn't overrule him! What travshamockery that call was

3-13-2008 @ 8:32PM

Brett said...

I was waiting for this post, agree 100%, that call was an abomination. Especially in light of those two UCLA calls you referenced. The conference needs to take a long hard look at their officiating, because it's ruining some really great basketball games.

3-13-2008 @ 9:18PM

Brian said...

It's not just a basketball issue with the Pac-10.

You've got the Oregon/Oklahoma football game obviously, but ask any Pac-10 fan and most can name egregious things that happened both in favor and against their schools at the hands of Pac-10 officials over the last 5-10 years.

I support Commissioner Hansen's opinion against a playoff, but he does himself no favors by failing to address the league's worsening situation when it comes to game officials. The Pac-10 needs to spend some money and get out ahead of this thing and assemble the finest officiating crews around and led by reliable policies and supervisors.

3-13-2008 @ 9:31PM

ruth said...

Personally, this call is consistant with much of the recent PAC 10 officiating. It holds true for basketball as well as football. I have seen some extremely poor calls on the field as well as the court.

3-13-2008 @ 10:04PM

insomniac said...

Great post, Ty.

If you subscribe to the theory that these things even out over the course of a game, then it should be pointed out that USC was called for two horrendous fouls in the 2nd half. One on a blocked shot by Taj Gibson on an out control shot by Pendergraph (you could even see Pendergraph laughing that he got the call) and another on clean strip by OJ Majo during a breakaway (tho at least with that one, I could see why the ref thought it was a foul based on his angle.) But like you said, all of these high profile errors are magnifying what Pac-10 fans have know for years- that their officials fail to meet the level of the competition. Maybe if ASU misses the tournament and it costs the Pac-10 some cash, then it will prompt the conference to do something about the state of its officiating, but I doubt it.

3-14-2008 @ 10:42AM

Mike said...

Does it make a difference that he WAS over the back? A player is allowed the airspace over their head. It looks Pendergraph was in that area for Jefferson. Good call.

3-14-2008 @ 11:33AM

onewayfarer said...

I only pray that none of these PAC 10 officials see the court during the upcoming NCAA tournament.They aren't good enough for this level of competetion.They would surely deep six a team from a mid-major conference with silly calls for the larger conference teams.The only way they should see a game in the tourney is to buy a ticket.