I don't care if you address it again or not.  That doesn't change anything.

I did read the rules.  It's pretty clear that you can't dunk in warmups.  MIT did that.  I know this because I was watching them. 

Making excuses for ref failures to call something doesn't change that it didn't happen.  They belong on the floor.  MIT was swinging from the rim in early warmups, but even within 30 minutes, they were practicing dunking.  They were all doing it. 

I'm not sour at all over it.  You seem to have a defend the refs at all costs attitude, which clearly shouldn't happen here.  That's your issue.  And I wouldn't be continuing to harp on it, if you weren't defending the indefensible.  That's your issue.  Makes no difference to me.

Turning thoughts to F&M's future, who is going to replace Milligan?  When Lasky left, Jannetta was ready to go.  This F&M team was brilliant.  One of the best I've seen since the Lasky era, but it had a couple of big weaknesses that they didn't have 20 years ago.

Their foul shooting was putrid and they really don't have a good 3 point threat.  Tommy Nicholson was a three point specialist, but he wasn't alone. 

I remember reading about a recruit that was really good at shooting the 3.  Terrell Phelps.  Did he play much this year?  Will he next year? 

The only problem is the part of the rulebook you site is a completely different part of the rulebook than the infraction.  Plus, MIT WAS dunking within 30 minutes too.

The argument that "if the refs didn't call it, it wasn't an infraction" is ridiculous.

That's like saying LVC's 1994 title is actually relevant because some dumb ref doesn't realize that when the buzzer goes off, the game is over.

I did read the rule book, and nothing is said for this rule about the time.

Whether you think an argument is fair or smart doesn't change that MIT was swinging from F&M's rim like monkeys during their warmup.  That's nice excuse you have there, but this happened. 

F&M players COULD have been dunking too?  That's the two wrongs make a right defense. 

There is no speculation.  It's fact.  It was right in front of me.  Literally, about 7-10 feet away.  Just because a ref wasn't ready to do his job doesn't mean it didn't happen.

I'm not saying it impacted the game, obviously.  But it happened.

If F&M didn't complain, that doesn't mean it didn't happen either.

If a team is in uniform, and are warming up on the court, that would be warmups. 

I agree the refs are the only ones who can enforce a rule, but the officials not being on the floor is their incompetence.  Their lack of being on the floor doesn't change a rules violation.  There's a reason no teams do this.

MIT's players got away with several there.  Not that it would have mattered, but I hope at some point they do that again, and a ref has some guts.

Ok, not for nothing, but I found the rule.  Nothing is said about the final 30 minutes before the game.

If you dunk during warmups, it's a technical foul. 

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR11.pdf

Rule 10, Section 6, Article 1 (e).

The penalty is 2 free throws to anyone on the offended team.

F&M should have had like 10 free throws before the game. 

Not that it would have mattered, based on how badly they shoot foul shots, but someone other than me should have noticed this.

So I guess that means it's ok before the final 30 minutes.  MIT was swinging from the rim like monkeys.  Hell, they had a mini slam dunk contest.

The most difficult thing for me was that the game WAS winnable.  MIT was great.  They have a real shot at winning it all, and I hope they do to take the sting out. 

But if F&M wasn't so putrid on the foul line and some of their shots fell, it would have been different.  I credit the MIT defense, but F&M DID get good shots off that didn't fall.  It was rough to watch such a good team have a bad night.

Unrelated...

Is there an NCAA rule against hanging from the rim in warmups or dunking in general?

I don't think Robinson got outcoached badly. 

The best coach in the world can't make your layups and foul shots.  MIT played a good game, but F&M held them to under 70.

That's my fear too.

The only way to beat MIT is to play as well and with the same kind of mission that got them by Amherst.  I'm really hoping they aren't like the 2003 Yankees, who in the ALCS, threw everything they had against the Red Sox, beat them in dramatic fashion, only to lose to a lesser team in the World Series because they just nothing left.

I have waited a long time to beat Amherst.  I would hate to see it end tonight against a team that is obviously capable of blowing anyone out on any night.

MIT is good.  To go to Salem, F&M is going to have to be great.  I'll be there tonight.

Well, I'm really happy those women did so well in Amherst.

Hell of a game by the Dips except on the foul line.

I'm so excited they beat Amherst.  I just hope they didn't use up all their good play because it doesn't get easier tomorrow.

MIT is good, and plays a MUCH better defense.  Hopefully they'll slow things down.

Park on the street.  You'll be fine. 

I admit, this is the first game in a long time where I feel F&M is the true underdog.  They need to be ON tonight, and the refs need to let them play.

If they win tonight, I'm going to every F&M game the rest of the season, which hopefully will be 3 more.  We owe Amherst. 

I hope this team knows its history and has that little extra incentive. 

Let's hope so.  I watched last week's game against Western Connecticut and really focused my attention on Matt Porter.  He was incredible when he was allowed to be in the game.  He was a big part in slowing down the #3 scorer in the nation.  Brooks wouldn't have even had 22 had Porter and Milligan been allowed to play the full game.

I really hope the refs let them play.

But historically, the Dips HAVE had good outside shooters.  Jeremiah Henry and Tommy Nicholson were great 3 point threats to name two. 

The Dips don't hit 3s.

Not this year.

And you're right.  It was 1994.  In 1993, they lost to Rowan in a horrifically refereed game.  In 1994 they were upset in their own gym.  It was sickening to watch.  And yes worse because LVC were given the title because the ref didn't know that a shot after the game is over doesn't count.

I also agree that the refs will play a factor in this game.  If they call light fouls, F&M has no chance.  If they let the best defense in the country play, they do have a chance.

Not having a 3 point guy is a killer.  Anyone got Tommy Nicholson's number?