AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThat’s not unsportsmanlike conduct?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not so much on Tech today as the Jackets have a game in a few hours, and I’ll write about that, and we have a slew of coverage on signing day coming up. So, a change of pace …
If you saw N.C. State’s upset of North Carolina Saturday, and you’re still trying to figure out why Tar Heels All-America center Tyler Hansbrough wasn’t ejected with 7:04 remaining when he appeared to throw a punch at N.C. State’s Brandon Costner, keep guessing.
I tried to reach ACC director of officiating John Clougherty Monday by phone, and e-mail. I was looking for some clarification and help in writing a story for the paper, but he didn’t respond to either form of query. I remain confounded by the application, or lack thereof, of some rules regarding “fighting acts.”
If Hansbrough had been ejected for what the NCAA rule book deems “a fighting act” he also would have been suspended for the Tar Heels’ next game, Wednesday at archrival Duke. Instead, he’ll play.
Hansbrough did not make contact with Costner, although article 2 of rule 4, section 23 - regarding fighting - says: “When during a confrontation, an individual attempts to strike another individual … whether there is contact is irrelevant. The perpetrator shall be deemed to have been involved in a fight.”
Costner grabbed a rebound after defending Hansbrough’s shot close to the goal. After failing to secure the ball, Hansbrough whirled around with his right hand closed into a fist at the heighth of Costner’s head.
Officials stopped the game, reviewed the play (as they did last month when Tech’s Zach Peacock threw, and made contact with, an elbow at Clemson’s Trevor Booker), and called a technical foul against Hansbrough.
So what was the technical for? Unsportsmanlike conduct? If officials deemed the punch as the unsportsmanlike act, why was he not ejected?
Or, if they ruled that was not the unsportsmanlike conduct, what was? Did Hansbrough say something to draw the technical?
North Carolina coach Roy Williams said after the game that Hansbrough did not throw a punch or confront Costner. Williams said Hansbrough was trying to “rake” the ball back.
Yet the rule book seems to indicate that the use of a closed fist in any way is grounds for ejection, and several video angles made it clear that Hansbrough’s right fist was closed as he swung it around within inches of Costner’s face.
Why, then, did officials not apply article 7? It says: “Anytime an individual uses a closed fist in a non-confrontational manner, it shall be deemed that the individual has initiated a fighting act and shall be penalized accordingly.”
Ejection for a fighting act mandates suspension from the next game, at minimum.
Can anybody help straighten me out on this because I don’t understand?
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Comments
By BUZZ
February 6, 2007 04:02 PM | Link to this
I am not a fan of ACC officials. They get creative w/ ther calls. It gets worse every year. Is it just me or do they not like TECH. Also, i hope we show up tonite. I can’t wait to sign those recruits.
By ToddGTfan
February 6, 2007 04:04 PM | Link to this
It’s called the “Roy Williams Rule”. This is a close friend of the “Coach K Rule”. These are rules that are on the books in the ACC office that state, and I quote “No referee shall call a game fair when either UNC or Duke are involved. Furthermore, the mere mention of infraction towards either school will result in expulsion from the ACC. All other schools shall adhere to this policy without questioning the supreme authority of either Roy Williams or Coach K.”
Zack Peacock gets ejected, but the golden boy on the golden team gets a free pass. Similar to the way Duke got an extra 2 seconds at the end of the game against Clemson. John Swofford is too worried about having his “marquee” matchup tarnished. Just another example of shoddy management by the ACC front office(Miami Football anyone?).
By Stinger
February 6, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this
Who gives a crap about basketball? Football signing day is tomorrow and Tech football tickets now cost an extra $500 per seat.
By billy bob
February 6, 2007 04:14 PM | Link to this
come on guys…did you see what happened at all? He made a weak swipe at the ball. It was the most ridiculous foul call I have ever seen. If he was going to fight, I would hope he would use a bow and not a little girl slap. He obviously was not making a fighting act. As a tech fan, I still have to side with Carolina on this one. Peacock threw an actual elbow in the guy’s face (which was justified, but he still did it).
By ga_tech_92
February 6, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this
I didn’t see it, but if we are to believe Matt Winkeljohn, then it should have been an ejection without question. If we are to believe billy bob, then there’s nothing to fuss about. Who do we believe billy bob or Winkeljohn? I’ve seen some double standards with Hansbrough countless times, so it’s not hard to imagine this would be somehow an exception to that rule.
By GT
February 6, 2007 04:28 PM | Link to this
All is well that ends well. State won and the intimidation of the Heels went for not. Duke and Carolina play so close in a half court that the offensive player is lucky to have all his teeth at the end of the game. They have been doing it so long and often it goes uncalled until they play outside the ACC if then.
By ga_tech_92
February 6, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this
State won, so UNC will be fired up the rest of the way. That’s great for us. Let’s take them down while they are fired up guys!
By SuwaneeDawg
February 6, 2007 04:38 PM | Link to this
Actually, you guys in the ACC are getting what the SEC has had for years - the incompetent, ignorant and clueless John Clougherty. Now, judging by my screen name, I’m obviously a Georgia man. So, all joking aside about the traditional success (or lack thereof)of our basketball program - just hear me out.
Granted, when I enrolled at UGA, the bball team was so-so at best. Still, I can’t tell you how many of the games that man officiated that UGA would lose, in many times, excruciating manner. Probably 95% of the most controverisal calls - for either team - in each game would come from his whistle. It also wasn’t just UGA games either, I’ve seen him officiate countless times on TV with the same problem. I guess my point, long winded as it has been, is that any issues or incompetence with ACC refs these days, I believe, can be directly tied to their boss.
Now - I saw most of that game but not that play but if they give Tyler a technical but didn’t call it a punch? That’s a classic Clougherty call - his boys are learning well.
By Finally
February 6, 2007 04:53 PM | Link to this
The ajc defending Tech. thanks
By triangle GT fan
February 6, 2007 09:20 PM | Link to this
I was at the game and saw it in person. It was a closed fist and he had that wild eyed look. It was a clear intention to vent frustration. Luckily, no contact was made. Living in Raleigh and having to put up with the god complexes of Roy and Coach K and the constant favoritism by the refs gets very old. I agree w/ Winklejohn on this one.
Hey, nice comback win for GT tonight!!!! Great heart and effort and this could be a huge confidence builder for our boys.
By derek
February 6, 2007 09:36 PM | Link to this
Come on man, spend some time being useful to the world! Tyler Hansbrough is a class act. Watch a little more tape when he constantly gets pounded and never loses his temper. If he wanted to take a punch then the officials would had to have picked the nc states kids head off the floor. He was frustrated and took a swipe at the ball but was nowhere near the player!
By Matt Winkeljohn
February 7, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Billy Bob, Derek,
It was a fist. The rule says a fist, even if used in a non-confrontational manner, equals an act of fighting. That means ejection.
Is there really any room to make this a judgement call?
By John
February 7, 2007 09:05 AM | Link to this
Duke and UNC always get favors from refs. I am not surprised. Coach K - can’t stand him! I am just glad to see neither team at the the top of the ACC standings. Boy did we miss out on a golden chance to rule the ACC this year. Too bad we are just, for some reason, mediocre.
By Brian
February 7, 2007 09:40 AM | Link to this
I missed the beginning of the game last night against NC State - did Dickey get hurt or something? I noticed he did not play at all in the 2nd half.
By George P. Burdell
February 7, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Matt is absolutely right on this one. If a technical foul was called, there is absolutely no room for argument if he had a clenched fist swung in the vicinity of another player. I didn’t see the play, but from what Matt and Billy Bob have both said, he not only should have been suspended, he has to be suspended. And you can add Gary Williams to the “Chosen” list too. I always enjoy watching any combination of NC, Duke and Md play to watch the “Whine Fest” that inevitably ensues. Its good basketball, but it is nothing compared to the crying of the leagues coaching brats.