Nobody likes it when referees dictate the pacing of a national title game, and you can bet folks were out complaining about it during Sunday’s 2023 women’s NCAA tournament championship.
One of the most anticipated women’s basketball games in quite a while, the heavyweight fight between Iowa and LSU saw its first quarter hampered by a spattering of questionable calls from the referees.
The pacing of the game like this is critical for players like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese to get in a rhythm. If the refs don’t slow the whistles down, folks will not be happy at home or in the stands.
AP women’s basketball reporter Doug Feinberg noted that the refs’ lack of familiarity with both teams might be contributing to the day’s frustrations.
So there are two Pac-12 officials doing this game who probably haven't done many of either team this year.
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) April 2, 2023
Even LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s son, St. Louis Cardinals infielder Kramer Robertson, wasn’t happy about the officiating.
It’s the referee show
— Kramer Robertson (@KramerR3) April 2, 2023