over and regained control for USCe. Absolutely no debating that for anyone who watched the game. And I see the same users coming out of their holes to defend the zeebs as usual.

VT. The powers that be love UT and UConna and OSU. But somehow, somehow despite all odds and the rantings of a bunch of lunatics, the refs let VT advance. Crazy, right?

They actually gave UT a chance At least vs OSU when they called fouls on us (Traylor & King), they called them vs OSU in the press. OSU was the most fairly called game we’ve had in the whole NCAA tourney. Even SDSU was one-sided in their favor as far as allowing physical play to disrupt us

That presents an exciting match up (David vs Goliath, Cinderella vs Machine) that is vulnerable to fouling out easily. You don't want a Maryland game where the foul bias is obvious on the big stage. That would be an ugly look that would be obvious to anyone watching. VT is a team that would make for an interesting Final matchup. The SEC would not be overstepping their boundary, by having an SEC vs SEC matchup. And VT's one vulnerability plays right into the hands of the establishment. VT is a highly skilled team, that is fun to watch, but has ZERO depth. That resume gets VT to the title game and helps ratings. South Carolina can easily win, by simply trading fouls with VT. The fouls against South Carolina can be spread all over the team. The fouls against VT can be concentrated on Kitley and Georgia. So I ask you this one question. Which player on VT can we simply not afford to lose to foul trouble in this game? Kitley and Georgia will be micro-managed by the refs aaaaaaalllllll night. If Kitley fouls out early the fourth, you have your undefeated champion, and it won't take a land-slide bias to take her out of the game. She will be in heavy traffic all night in and around South Carolina players. It's like fishing out of a barrel. What I expect is if VT handles LSU, than you will see a pretty evenly called game. The more trouble VT has matching up to LSU, the more calls go against LSU. VT wins. In the final, it's pretty simple. The first half goes pretty well, but Kitley picks up 3 fouls in the first half. In the third quarter, Kitley picks up her fourth. If SC is running away with the game, it will be pretty fairly called in the second half. Maybe even go against SC to keep game more exciting and quiet the Maryland / Iowa outcry of unfair reffing. If it's close, Kitley watches the fourth quarter from the bench. On the flip side, watch the Iowa game. Here you have another team that is heavily reliant on one player. If Iowa Jumps out to a lead and starts winning, Caitlin will be watching the fourth quarter from the bench. I hope I'm wrong, but the Powers that be want an undefeated South Carolina......period. Just ask Maryland. ** Edited by jonnyhawk at 3/30/2023, 9:34:48 AM

Man, those guys are everywhere affecting everything, huh? Who exactly are the powers that be?...Advertisers?, well, the higher profile the team the bigger the advertising budget, so that makes sense. Advertisers don't play basketball, they sell stuff. Those other teams have history, and that gives them built in gravitas. I said it prior to the UT game on this board. Everyone's history starts somewhere, and this is where VT's begins. The NCAA...they haven't made a decision in a decade, so forgive me for doubting that one. Who exactly are all of these despicable people you dub the "powers that be" that have that dark ability to manipulate our lives?

Don't think so.

#1 would kill ratings. Many NON SEC fans, would simply not watch. #2 would represent a rematch where SC already killed LSU, killing ratings. #3 would create a situation where the SEC bias is literally blocking all other conferences out, again, not a good look. #4 would be a lose lose for the SEC, where either SC does not look good, or all other SEC teams look weak. Why not have SC beat up on another out of conference team, another #1 seed, a team where SC could show how amazing they truly are, under careful Referee supervision.

job. Unfortunately, some do much better job than others. Don't think there's a conspiracy. We are friends with couple college refs.

More like overpaid amateurs Not overpaid for WHAT they do Overpaid based on lack of quality

...they'd hire full time refs, pay them well, and make them accountable. But the leagues clearly don't think good vs. bad refs make a difference to their bottom line, so they cut corners. Personally, I think refs (in EVERY NCAA sport) should work for outside contractors that are paid proportional to the quality of the officiating (as judged by the coaching staffs of all the teams). This system where the refs work for leagues is an inherent conflict of interest. ** Edited by The_Phew at 3/30/2023, 12:25:03 PM

Just like any job, there are going to be good refs and bad refs. There will always be questionable calls that we don't like. They are not perfect. But there is no hate against VT, no conspiracy. They take their jobs seriously. The NCAA has to do a better job of selecting the best refs.

pro's issues with refs go far deeper than how they handle their jobs.

There aren't many good women's BB refs in the ACC.

are tough and very talented...

It was NOT an even called game. You could see the frustration and at times bewilderment on the Maryland team and bench. If the refs are going to allow tough physical play, then tough physical play needs to be allowed for both teams. It will be interesting to see how unbalanced the officiating is when they play Iowa. If Clark starts lighting them up, I will almost bet it becomes unbalanced. Maryland came to play and then they couldn’t even breathe on a South Carolina player without a foul being called.

their style of play. I agree, that SC was favorably viewed by the zebras but maybe MD was just sloppy too.

a legitimate beef. It was "good defense" on one side of the court, and a foul on the other side, same bumping, grabbing, slapping and body contact on shots.

but more for how that contact occurs in the flow. So the smaller and lighter players making that contact "looks" more like a foul than the big strong ones who can do what appears to be a light touch pushoff but sends the opponent sprawling.

a team has, and call it on one side of the floor on way, and another way on the other end. The physical team can play physical, but the finesse team cannot. If it's a foul on one side of the floor, it's a foul on the other side of the floor.