Nate Oats did not appreciate the lack of consistency between college basketball officials during Alabama’s game against Grand Canyon at March Madness on Sunday. He made that explicitly clear on live television just moments after receiving a technical foul.
It was a candid interview that aired on TBS after the broadcast came back from commercial.
Lauren Shehadi spoke with Oats during the stoppage in play. The Lopes had just knocked down a pair of free throws and were about to receive the ball as result of the tech. The Crimson Tide head coach was displeased with what went down.
Oats started to bark at the officiating crew early. His displeasure stemmed from how things were called on his team in contrast to the calls granted to Grand Canyon.
A warning was issued within minutes of tipoff. The referees let him know that if he were to continue with his tone, they were going to T him up. Oats continued with his tone so they T’d him up.
That is what happens if someone does not adhere to a warning. However, Oats has most certainly worked harder for a technical foul in the past. On many occasions.
He is one who will always speak his mind, like he did to Shehadi.
It is rare that a college basketball coach gets an opportunity to discuss the officiating in real time. It is even more rare that the coach take the opportunity to do so.
Oats could have brushed past the disgruntlement and replied with coach speak, but he chose to let it rip. Right or wrong, it made for great television!
Alabama was called for twice as many calls through the first 15 minutes as its opponent. Many of them were ticky tacky so Nate Oats had a point. Consistency is the only thing that coaches, players and fans ask.
Good officiating would be better than bad, inconsistent officiating. As would bad, consistent officiating.
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