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Watching the Kansas-UNLV game I wondered if I was the only one who thought the officiating was bad. I know I am biased as an ex-coach, but come on. Then I saw Dennis Dodd’s column and I knew I wasn’t alone.

Also, how could the NCAA clear Tim Higgins and Jim Burr to ref in the NIT, but not the NCAA? Or why is it that Curtis Shaw has thrown out 5 coaches this year, including Trent Johnson (Stanford) this weekend? Could it be he works too many games? He does and it is.

Getting and keeping everyone healthy this time of year can determine whether you make a Final Four or even win a national championship. Teams like Louisville and North Carolina went through key injuries early in the year, but now have everyone playing at 100%. Kansas struggled while Brandon Rush came back from ACL surgery and Sherron Collins worked to get his foot healed. Now they are ready to go and so are the Jayhawks.

UCLA starters Josh Shipp (strep throat) and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (went for an MRI on his ankle) are both less than 100%. The Bruins will need them healed by this weekend if they want to get to San Antonio. Villanova lost a key insider in Casiem Drummond in the Siena game and is done for the year. Every team is given one rally game when an injury occurrs. The only question is will it be Kansas or was it the Siena game. Chris Lofton is playing with a banged up leg. The Vols need him badly to get by Louisville.

Coaching Note: Lute Olsen met with Kevin O’Neill today about the future of the two coaching together. Judging by some previous remarks about his not liking how things were being run in his absence, I find it hard to believe that these two will be able to share the bench next year.

Every March there are teams that are elated to make the NCAA Tournament and then there is everyone else. Making the tournament and missing the tournament means coaches will be changing jobs. Coach who will be in play for new jobs this Spring due to making the Big Dance:

Fran McCaffrey (Siena): Providence, South Carolina

Phil Martelli (St. Jospeh’s): Providence

Tom Crean (Marquette): Indiana

Tony Bennett (WSU): Indiana

Sean Miller (Xavier): Indiana

Scott Sutton (ORU): TCU

Assistants on the move: Cuonzo Martin (Purdue): Missouri State

Marist is open now that Matt Brady has left for JMU. Top candidates would be Tom Herrion and Pat Flannery

San Francisco is taking a look at Kansas asst. Kurtis Townsend.

Rex Walters, coming off a losing season at Florida Atlantic, was offered the Mercer job. Also, Buzz Peterson is tired of carrying Michael Jordan’s bags so he is involved at TCU.

More info as I dig it up….

Bob Marlin (Sam Houston State) is in play at Rice and TCU