There is no denying that CBS wants the teams that will give them the best ratings to win... just like they want all seven game series to go the distance, want big name players like Tiger Woods to be in contention, good matchups like Shaq and Yao, don't want blowouts, etc. But I would hope your wife, who worked at CBS, has not implied that CBS influences the officials to do their best to assure such an outcome. If so, that's a scandal of major proportions.
I agree with you that the officials in the game tonight will try to be much more lenient with calls. However, I'm equally sure if you asked them if they planned to be less strict, they'd say that from an officiating standpoint tonight's game is no different from any other game-- a foul is a foul. Knowing how these guys pride themselves on not being able to be intimidated (you have to be this way considering how much abuse they must get on both sides during a game), they might go the opposite way-- call the game just as close just to show they can't be intimidated. So, you never know.
I had Tech playing UConn in the finals so I agree they are a great team. However, I based that on knowing whoever they played in the Final Four would have been weary from just having to survive what I considered the toughest bracket. If Calhoun studies the tape of how Duke played Tech (which I'm sure he will), he'll know exactly what to do because Krzyzewski is a genius. Tech might have a great defense, but UConn's size should assure they control the glass which should be key.
- Jeff |
