Sunday, January 23, 2000
COLLEGE BASKETBALL INSIDER
Replay on its way
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Super Bowl is only seven days away, but expect the controversy about instant replay to continue for awhile. Because it's coming to college basketball.
Members of the NCAA's basketball rules committee are expected to meet by teleconference this week to discuss the implications of allowing the use of instant replay to decide whether buzzer-beating shots do, indeed, beat the buzzer.
Last Saturday, Texas A&M claimed a controversial win when the Aggies' Andy Leatherman successfully followed a teammate's missed shot to secure a regulation victory over Texas Tech. But replays showed Leatherman did not release his shot before the buzzer sounded, even though official Charles Range counted the goal.
Only two days later, official Tim Higgins counted a shot by the Miami Hurricanes' Johnny Hemsley that earned his team a road victory over Villanova, although replays clearly showed the ball in Hemsley's hand when the buzzer sounded.
This is one of the most difficult calls for officials to determine correctly and is probably the least subjective of all the decisions they are expected to make.
There are some problems with using replay to judge whether shots are launched in time:
• There still are a few col lege games that aren't televised, especially in the lower reaches of Division I. Officials wouldn't have the opportunity to use replay on those games, and those accustomed to being reliant on replay might become confused or hesitant under those circumstances.
• Officials might need several minutes to examine the replays and announce their decisions, which could lead to crowd-control concerns.
Replay is in use now for officials to examine which players are involved in altercations — suspensions can be handed out for leaving the bench during a brawl or throwing a close-fisted punch — and for correcting timing errors.
Officials do not appear to be opposed to the use of replay in this circumstance. Conference USA supervisor of officials Dale Kelley — who does the same work for the Big 12 — said he has pushed the rules committee to approve its use.
TOUGH ENOUGH? There was no way to know how far point guard Mateen Cleaves' preseason injury would set back Michigan State, but who would have thought January would find coach Tom Izzo questioning his team's toughness?
“We've got to get rid of the pretty-boy attitude,” Izzo said, “and get into the meat-and-potatoes attitude.”
Izzo's concern appeared to be limited to particular players. The Spartans, who lost their fifth game of the season Thursday at Ohio State, knew they'd miss a lot when tough man Antonio Smith finished his career after leading them to the Final Four last season, but they thought some of what was lost would be countered by an increase in offensive production from 6-foot-10 se nior A.J. Granger.
Granger has shot well but got just one rebound in the OSU loss and surrendered most of Buckeyes forward George Reese's game-turning 19 points.
Also, Cleaves' injury was not the last. Center Andre Hutson has played with a shoulder injury the past three weeks, and freshman guard Jason Richardson has a sprained muscle in his chest that made it difficult for him to play against Ohio State. Richardson's injury didn't make it any easier for Izzo as he struggles to get production from what appeared to be a team strength, its reserve wing players.
WORKING ON “J”: Perhaps not even the governor can get Ohio State to agree to playing the Cincinnati Bearcats on an annual basis, but that's not to say there'll be no competition between the two.
A contest that could have a more enduring impact than one over-hyped regular-season game is developing in the recruitment of 6-9 forward Jawad Williams of Cleveland, the top junior prospect in Ohio and one of the 20 best in the nation.
The two schools haven't really gone head to head on a player since Buckeyes coach Jim O'Brien arrived to revive the OSU program in the spring of 1997.
Williams will be a key target for both UC and OSU as they build their 2000-01 recruiting classes. He attended UC's Midnight Madness celebration in October and this week was in the audience at the Ohio State-Michigan State game. Williams is part of the Cleveland Basketball Club, which sent point guard Steve Logan to the Bearcats.
AROUND THE NATION: St.John's was bothered by the number of Connecticut fans who turned a home game for the Red Storm last season into what felt like a road trip, so its athletic department did not make tickets publicly available for a Feb.21 game against the Huskies at Madison Square Garden until they first were offered to alumni, faculty, students and boosters. There were none left after they got done buying.
• As good as Vanderbilt has been, with victories over ranked opponents Tennessee, Florida and LSU, the Commodores might be better if big center Greg LaPointe were not bothered by severe pain in his back. He rarely practices, and his minutes are limited. LaPointe now is being treated with acupuncture to minimize the pain and said he has become a believer in the therapy.
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