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After reading a story by Dick Jerardi in which he related the fact that Steve Welmer has worked 76 games this season, I am not surprised at the lack of quality of officiating as we head down the stretch run. Officials are doing too many games in too many parts of the country to be effective every night. I know this sounds anti-capitalistic to say we need to limit the number of games they work each week, but when people’s livings (coaches) are based on their decisions we need to make sure we get a quality effort every time out. For more about the officials check out statsheet.com. It will give you a breakdown of fouls called (including technicals) by each official.

Again I asked for more accountability with officials. There is too many lives at stake.

Welcome back Dickie V. Vitale came back from throat surgery to do the game last night at North Carolina. It was great to see the best ambassador for college basketball back on the sidelines. Love him or hate him, you have to appreciate is sincere enthusiasm for the game.

While most of America’s basketball fans were tuned to the North Carolina-Duke game (which by the way turned out to be anti-climactic since the Tarheels were without Ty Lawson), I was doing the broadcast of the Wisconsin-Iowa game. It was a typical Big Ten game. A lot of physical play. It was block and tackle for fourty minutes. In the end Wisconisn’s balance wore down the Hawkeyes and the Badgers went home with their 19th win of the season.

Coach Bo Ryan has brought this team a great distance after losing three starters from last year’s 30 win team. In my book he is one of the best teachers of the game in the profession. His team’s talent doesn’t overwhelm you, but their chemistry and cohesiveness is a credit to the man and his philosophy. If they can get consistent outside shooting from Trevon Hughes they just might make a run at the Final Four.

Meanwhile down in Memphis Coach John Calipari has told Robert Dozier that if he has one more misstep he is gone. When you are loaded with talent like Memphis is you can give guys ultimatums. I for one think that if they lose Dozier they might be better off. Fewer players means fewer distractions.

Michael Beasley recorded his 18th double-double of the year last night against Nebraska in a 15 point win for the Kansas State Wildcats. He scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Kansas State has a favorable schedule down the stretch and with a little consistency from freshman Jacob Pullin they could win the Big 12. Also, our prayers are with senior guard Clent Stewart who lost his mother this week to cancer.

In the ACC, Duke grabbed the lead in the league with a victory over North Carolina. However on the other end of the league, Miami is dropping faster than a lead balloon. They have turned into this year’s version of Clemson. Things could get tight for Coach Frank Haith is he doesn’t pull the Hurricanes out of this downward spiral.

Three names for the vacant South Carolina job: Fran McCaffrey (Siena), Anthony Grant (VCU) and Greg Marshall (Wichita State).