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I had the misfortune of watching an outmanned Indiana team defeat Illinois, a task made much easier by the officiating crew.
The game started well enough for Illinois, with 7-footer Meyers Leonard dominating the woefully overmatched Cody Zeller for 15 first half points. Then, things changed in the 2nd half. After 5 minutes, Indiana was already in the bonus. The refs had called 7 fouls on Illinois and Indiana had yet to commit a foul. After 8 minutes, the refs whistled Leonard for 3 quick fouls (the last being of the egregious phantom "moving screen" variety), and Leonard had to sit with 4 overall fouls. With Leonard out, cue up the Cody Zeller show. With flops worthy of a Euroleague player, Zeller ends up shooting 14 free throws, while Illinois shoots 15 as a team. Despite being outscored in the paint by Illinois, Indiana shoots 42 free throws in a game with hardly any transition baskets. With 5 minutes left and the outcome of the game still in doubt, Indiana has shot 32 free throws compared to only 9 for Illinois.
How is it that a team with no edge in talent, fewer inside baskets, and a negative mismatch at center ends up shooting 42 free throws while its opponent shoots only 15?
Big 10 officiating, baby.
The game started well enough for Illinois, with 7-footer Meyers Leonard dominating the woefully overmatched Cody Zeller for 15 first half points. Then, things changed in the 2nd half. After 5 minutes, Indiana was already in the bonus. The refs had called 7 fouls on Illinois and Indiana had yet to commit a foul. After 8 minutes, the refs whistled Leonard for 3 quick fouls (the last being of the egregious phantom "moving screen" variety), and Leonard had to sit with 4 overall fouls. With Leonard out, cue up the Cody Zeller show. With flops worthy of a Euroleague player, Zeller ends up shooting 14 free throws, while Illinois shoots 15 as a team. Despite being outscored in the paint by Illinois, Indiana shoots 42 free throws in a game with hardly any transition baskets. With 5 minutes left and the outcome of the game still in doubt, Indiana has shot 32 free throws compared to only 9 for Illinois.
How is it that a team with no edge in talent, fewer inside baskets, and a negative mismatch at center ends up shooting 42 free throws while its opponent shoots only 15?
Big 10 officiating, baby.
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