by Chris Maynard ([email protected])
| | The Big Aristotle once said after a crazy finish to Game Five of the 2004 Western Conference Finals, during which Derek Fisher followed an improbable Tim Duncan shot with an improbable shot of his own, that “One lucky shot deserves another.” |
| Unfortunately, the premise of Shaquille O’Neal’s quote holds true when it comes to officiating, especially in NCAA Tournament play: “One bad call deserves another.” | |
As a college basketball fan, there are three types of foul calls that sap all the fun of watching games:
Sadly, there were two examples of No. 3, and possibly one example of No. 2, in a brutally officiated finish to the second round 1997 NCAA Tournament game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones.
While I was no Cincinnati fan at the time, I had to feel for the Bearcats after this excruciating loss, though Iowa State almost faced the same unfortunate predicament.
My Feelings toward Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins and Iowa State’s Tim Floyd
At the time I was no fan of Huggins and his program, especially as a De Paul fan.
Year in, year out, Cincinnati would come to the Rosemont Horizon and just bludgeon the Blue Demons. The games were seemingly never close, with the exception of a first-round Conference USA game in 1995 (a De Paul loss).
Even though his teams were clearly superior in ability and physicality, Huggins always seemed to be working the officials.
My best friend in high school (Rich) and I used to have a running joke about Huggins: his teams would be up 30 points and he would still be complaining to the referees about how his players were getting hammered.
With all that said, my feelings toward Huggins would soften after he went to his alma mater of West Virginia and the led the Mountaineers, a program I really liked under John Beilein, to the Final Four in 2010.
In all fairness, Huggins' Cincinnati's teams were always solid and dangerous.
As for Tim Floyd, my disdain for that man started forming right around this time, even if he was just a puppet for a sneaky cause.
In 1997 it was no secret in Chicago that Floyd was the crown jewel of then Bulls general manager Jerry Krause.
Krause and Floyd were fishing buddies, and it was pretty much well known that Floyd would replace Phil Jackson whenever the Bulls dynasty ended.
After making it difficult for the Bulls to function in the 1997-1998 season, Chicago’s last championship, even saying before that year that Jackson would be coaching his last with the organization, Krause used Floyd to try and pull some shady, underhanded dealings in the summer of 1998.
While it was clear the Bulls dynasty had reached its course, not by on-court performance but internal drama and bitterness, Krause hired Floyd as the organization's...Director of Basketball Operations?
Are you kidding me?
I remember listening on the radio to the press conference like it was yesterday.
Krause put on a dog-and-pony show about how he wanted Jackson back, and that Floyd would be his successor.
Ever the lackey, Floyd tried to sell this idea as well.
Unfortunately, Floyd really had no business offering his opinion on his matter. The most he had done as a college basketball coach was reach the Sweet Sixteen in 1997 (I’ll get to that soon).
Overall, the Krause-Floyd press conference was insulting to Jackson, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and worse, the intelligence of Bulls fans. Don't get me wrong. Jackson, Jordan and Pippen caused some drama during the time, but the climate within the Bulls organization was quite toxic.
For Floyd, he would become the head coach during three-and-a-half seasons of misery before realizing that Krause’s master idea that “Organizations Win Championships” was going nowhere.
Showing some individuality, Floyd would actually resign on Christmas Eve of 2001 and go back to college, where he would eventually get into trouble at Southern California.
Unfortunately, from Iowa State Floyd brought Gar Forman, who is now the Bulls General Manager and another Chicago executive who lacks transparency and honesty.
There is a reason the Bulls front office has been so dysfunctional: hands-off owner Jerry Reinsdorf allowed Krause to thrive on pettiness and insecurity, and that culture continues to exist today with Forman and, unfortunately, John Paxson, one of my favorite players as a child but a huge disappointment and crank as a front-office executive.
With all that history stated, given what I know today about what transpired with Floyd and the Bulls, it’s safe to say that I would have been rooting for Cincinnati if this game took place now.
Yet at the time I was probably happy that the Bearcats lost to Iowa State, a program that I came to like under Fred Hoiberg, who, in a similar fashion, became the coach of the Bulls after his predecessor Tom Thibodeau's reputation was undermined by the Chicago front office.
Only the Bulls. Only the Bulls. Only the one and only Chicago Bulls.
- the call clearly favoring the power program.
- the dreaded makeup call.
- the anticipated call before the play transpires.
Sadly, there were two examples of No. 3, and possibly one example of No. 2, in a brutally officiated finish to the second round 1997 NCAA Tournament game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones.
While I was no Cincinnati fan at the time, I had to feel for the Bearcats after this excruciating loss, though Iowa State almost faced the same unfortunate predicament.
My Feelings toward Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins and Iowa State’s Tim Floyd
At the time I was no fan of Huggins and his program, especially as a De Paul fan.
Year in, year out, Cincinnati would come to the Rosemont Horizon and just bludgeon the Blue Demons. The games were seemingly never close, with the exception of a first-round Conference USA game in 1995 (a De Paul loss).
Even though his teams were clearly superior in ability and physicality, Huggins always seemed to be working the officials.
My best friend in high school (Rich) and I used to have a running joke about Huggins: his teams would be up 30 points and he would still be complaining to the referees about how his players were getting hammered.
With all that said, my feelings toward Huggins would soften after he went to his alma mater of West Virginia and the led the Mountaineers, a program I really liked under John Beilein, to the Final Four in 2010.
In all fairness, Huggins' Cincinnati's teams were always solid and dangerous.
As for Tim Floyd, my disdain for that man started forming right around this time, even if he was just a puppet for a sneaky cause.
In 1997 it was no secret in Chicago that Floyd was the crown jewel of then Bulls general manager Jerry Krause.
Krause and Floyd were fishing buddies, and it was pretty much well known that Floyd would replace Phil Jackson whenever the Bulls dynasty ended.
After making it difficult for the Bulls to function in the 1997-1998 season, Chicago’s last championship, even saying before that year that Jackson would be coaching his last with the organization, Krause used Floyd to try and pull some shady, underhanded dealings in the summer of 1998.
While it was clear the Bulls dynasty had reached its course, not by on-court performance but internal drama and bitterness, Krause hired Floyd as the organization's...Director of Basketball Operations?
Are you kidding me?
I remember listening on the radio to the press conference like it was yesterday.
Krause put on a dog-and-pony show about how he wanted Jackson back, and that Floyd would be his successor.
Ever the lackey, Floyd tried to sell this idea as well.
Unfortunately, Floyd really had no business offering his opinion on his matter. The most he had done as a college basketball coach was reach the Sweet Sixteen in 1997 (I’ll get to that soon).
Overall, the Krause-Floyd press conference was insulting to Jackson, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and worse, the intelligence of Bulls fans. Don't get me wrong. Jackson, Jordan and Pippen caused some drama during the time, but the climate within the Bulls organization was quite toxic.
For Floyd, he would become the head coach during three-and-a-half seasons of misery before realizing that Krause’s master idea that “Organizations Win Championships” was going nowhere.
Showing some individuality, Floyd would actually resign on Christmas Eve of 2001 and go back to college, where he would eventually get into trouble at Southern California.
Unfortunately, from Iowa State Floyd brought Gar Forman, who is now the Bulls General Manager and another Chicago executive who lacks transparency and honesty.
There is a reason the Bulls front office has been so dysfunctional: hands-off owner Jerry Reinsdorf allowed Krause to thrive on pettiness and insecurity, and that culture continues to exist today with Forman and, unfortunately, John Paxson, one of my favorite players as a child but a huge disappointment and crank as a front-office executive.
With all that history stated, given what I know today about what transpired with Floyd and the Bulls, it’s safe to say that I would have been rooting for Cincinnati if this game took place now.
Yet at the time I was probably happy that the Bearcats lost to Iowa State, a program that I came to like under Fred Hoiberg, who, in a similar fashion, became the coach of the Bulls after his predecessor Tom Thibodeau's reputation was undermined by the Chicago front office.
Only the Bulls. Only the Bulls. Only the one and only Chicago Bulls.
With that rant aside, let's return to what matters: this tournament game.
Some Background on This Game
● Coming into the 1997 Tournament, Cincinnati was ranked No. 10 in the country, with a 25-7 record, which could actually be considered a bit disappointing when realizing that the Bearcats were the preseason No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Cincinnati was led by first team All-America Danny Fortson, a bruising, 6’7’’ junior forward who averaged 21.9 points and 9.3 rebounds during the regular season. The Bearcats were also paced by senior guard Darnell Burton (13.8 points per game), junior forward and future pro Ruben Patterson (13.7 points per game) and lanky senior guard Damon Flint (8.9 points per game). Other notable players on the Bearcats included sophomore Melvin Levett and a freshman by the name of Kenyon Martin, a future overall No. 1 NBA Draft pick who averaged just 2.8 points and 10.9 minutes per game in 1996/1997.
● While a No. 6 seed entering the NCAA Tournament, Iowa State was ranked No. 16 in the AP poll entering this game. The senior-dominated Cyclones were 20-8 heading into the 1997 tourney, led by guard Dedric Willoughby (18.9 points per game) forward Kenny Pratt (14.7 points per game) and center Kelvin Cato (11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game, which was fifth in the country). The Cyclones also had a notable freshman, seldom used big Paul Shirley, who is more well known for his online writing than his basketball accomplishments.
● To get to the second round, the Bearcats defeated No. 14 seed Butler (it’s weird to think of Butler with such a low seed) 86-69 in the first round, with Fortson going for 24 and 12, and Burton adding 19 points. As for Iowa State, the Cylcones defeated the no. 11 seed Illinois State Redbirds 69-57, with Cato exploding for 29 points and Willoughby adding 21 of his own.
● This second round game was called by Gus Johnson and Quinn Bucker, someone I used to enjoy when he covered NBA games for NBC. I remember a comment Buckner made back during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. After falling behind two games to none in New York, Chicago routed the Knicks in Game Three, with Buckner saying afterward that he thought the Bulls would win the next three games. Buckner proved prophetic as the Bulls did just that. Johnson wasn’t quite Johnson yet (his end-game call was a bit off) though the pep was certainly there. He sounded young here.
● This game occurred at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. When I think of Kemper Arena and the NCAA Tournament, my memory flashes back to the 1988 title game between Kansas and Oklahoma.
Some Background on This Game
● Coming into the 1997 Tournament, Cincinnati was ranked No. 10 in the country, with a 25-7 record, which could actually be considered a bit disappointing when realizing that the Bearcats were the preseason No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Cincinnati was led by first team All-America Danny Fortson, a bruising, 6’7’’ junior forward who averaged 21.9 points and 9.3 rebounds during the regular season. The Bearcats were also paced by senior guard Darnell Burton (13.8 points per game), junior forward and future pro Ruben Patterson (13.7 points per game) and lanky senior guard Damon Flint (8.9 points per game). Other notable players on the Bearcats included sophomore Melvin Levett and a freshman by the name of Kenyon Martin, a future overall No. 1 NBA Draft pick who averaged just 2.8 points and 10.9 minutes per game in 1996/1997.
● While a No. 6 seed entering the NCAA Tournament, Iowa State was ranked No. 16 in the AP poll entering this game. The senior-dominated Cyclones were 20-8 heading into the 1997 tourney, led by guard Dedric Willoughby (18.9 points per game) forward Kenny Pratt (14.7 points per game) and center Kelvin Cato (11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game, which was fifth in the country). The Cyclones also had a notable freshman, seldom used big Paul Shirley, who is more well known for his online writing than his basketball accomplishments.
● To get to the second round, the Bearcats defeated No. 14 seed Butler (it’s weird to think of Butler with such a low seed) 86-69 in the first round, with Fortson going for 24 and 12, and Burton adding 19 points. As for Iowa State, the Cylcones defeated the no. 11 seed Illinois State Redbirds 69-57, with Cato exploding for 29 points and Willoughby adding 21 of his own.
● This second round game was called by Gus Johnson and Quinn Bucker, someone I used to enjoy when he covered NBA games for NBC. I remember a comment Buckner made back during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. After falling behind two games to none in New York, Chicago routed the Knicks in Game Three, with Buckner saying afterward that he thought the Bulls would win the next three games. Buckner proved prophetic as the Bulls did just that. Johnson wasn’t quite Johnson yet (his end-game call was a bit off) though the pep was certainly there. He sounded young here.
● This game occurred at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. When I think of Kemper Arena and the NCAA Tournament, my memory flashes back to the 1988 title game between Kansas and Oklahoma.
Analyzing the Final Minute
Let’s get to the gory details of this late minute.
Unfortunately, this entire game is not on YouTube.
There are two videos of parts of the second half of this game.
Let’s get to the gory details of this late minute.
Unfortunately, this entire game is not on YouTube.
There are two videos of parts of the second half of this game.
| | |
The first video is 23 minutes long, with about 10 minutes to go in the game and Iowa
State up seven points. Unfortunately, the video quality is poor.
Thus, I am going to review the second video, which is 7 minutes long and begins with Iowa State leading 65-64 with 1:21 to go.
State up seven points. Unfortunately, the video quality is poor.
Thus, I am going to review the second video, which is 7 minutes long and begins with Iowa State leading 65-64 with 1:21 to go.
● In a cruel twist of ironic fate, the video begins with Johnson saying that Huggins believes this team has the talent to go all the way. That dream scenario will turn into a nightmare in the final minute.
● Cincinnati is bailed out by the first awful call (see from 0:20 to 1:16). After Burton turns the corner, he gets into the lane, draws the defense and makes a nice bounce pass to Levett, who goes up for the dunk. Protecting the rim, Cato nastily blocks Levett with his left hand. It’s all ball, and there’s no body, but the referee on the baseline calls the fall on Cato, who is gone. Levett knocks down both free throws as Cincinnati takes its first lead since 22-21. Cato leaves with just 6 points and 5 rebounds after a big first-round performance. Floyd is irate, yelling at the refs that “That was a block.”
Analysis: Here is a classic case of the referee anticipating contact that never came. Cato demonstrated great body control on this block, but the ref assumed the worst, leading to the wrong call.
● The game appears to be Cincinnati’s to win on the next possession. After Buckner says it’s time for Pratt to step up for Iowa State, Pratt drives on Cincinnati’s Bobby Brannen @ 2:17 but misses a pull-up. After the ball bounces around, Burton comes up with it; however, Pratt falls into his leg, causing Burton to fall down. What is clearly a foul on Pratt, whose contact caused Burton to fall, is called a travel. Even worse, it actually looks like Burton somehow, someway, kept his pivot foot after falling from the contact. Huggins is so shocked he doesn’t say a word, just leaving his gaping mouth wide open. The whole sequence can be viewed from @2:17 to @2:53.
Analysis: This was a delayed call if there ever was one. The referee didn’t compute the Pratt contact quickly enough and only reacted to Burton falling down with an incorrect call that might not have even been a violation.
● Ever the opportunist, Floyd and the Cyclones score on a quick inbounds to Clay Edwards, who makes a left-handed layup for a 67-66 Iowa State lead.
● Cincinnati brings the ball up court and calls a timeout. The Cincinnati fans are booing quite loudly as Huggins complains from @3:15 to @4:27. There are 26.4 seconds remaining.
● Out of the timeout Cincinnati’s offense is stalling when Pratt fouls Burton away from the basket. Brannen is seen celebrating on the sideline as he expects a free throw. However, Iowa State had a foul to give, with a young assistant who would replace Huggins at Cincinnati, Mick Cronin, informing Brannen of this cold reality.
● After an Iowa State timeout, Cincinnati inbounds the ball to Flint with 11 seconds to go. The senior lefty gets into the lane but short arms a floater @4:51. Iowa State senior Sean Bankhead grabs the rebound and is fouled with 4.3 seconds to go. Iowa State fans are celebrating, assuming a victory, while Huggins, assuming the worst, gets on the officials for the earlier missed foul of Burton.
● Shooting a one-and-one, Bankhead is long on the free throw @5:32. Patterson rebounds the ball and passes to Flint, who takes two dribbles and releases a shot just inside the half-court line that hits backboard but no rim @5:43. The horn sounds, Iowa State players running around in celebration, Cincinnati players frozen in stunned silence. The final: Iowa State 67, Cincinnati 66.
● With a bit of an uneven voice, Johnson announces that Iowa State has just reached its first Sweet Sixteen since 1985.
● As the Cyclones are seen exploding off the bench @5:45, one of the referee scurries off the floor, a fitting action for this runaway officiating in the last minute. Officiating is human, and there will always be errors. However, multiple mistakes at the end of the game are hard to swallow.
● It sounds weird to say, but if anyone could ever use a hug, it's Cincinnati's Huggie Bear and his disappointed soldiers after this game. Huggins would not get Cincinnati back to the Final Four after doing so in 1992.
● Cincinnati is bailed out by the first awful call (see from 0:20 to 1:16). After Burton turns the corner, he gets into the lane, draws the defense and makes a nice bounce pass to Levett, who goes up for the dunk. Protecting the rim, Cato nastily blocks Levett with his left hand. It’s all ball, and there’s no body, but the referee on the baseline calls the fall on Cato, who is gone. Levett knocks down both free throws as Cincinnati takes its first lead since 22-21. Cato leaves with just 6 points and 5 rebounds after a big first-round performance. Floyd is irate, yelling at the refs that “That was a block.”
Analysis: Here is a classic case of the referee anticipating contact that never came. Cato demonstrated great body control on this block, but the ref assumed the worst, leading to the wrong call.
● The game appears to be Cincinnati’s to win on the next possession. After Buckner says it’s time for Pratt to step up for Iowa State, Pratt drives on Cincinnati’s Bobby Brannen @ 2:17 but misses a pull-up. After the ball bounces around, Burton comes up with it; however, Pratt falls into his leg, causing Burton to fall down. What is clearly a foul on Pratt, whose contact caused Burton to fall, is called a travel. Even worse, it actually looks like Burton somehow, someway, kept his pivot foot after falling from the contact. Huggins is so shocked he doesn’t say a word, just leaving his gaping mouth wide open. The whole sequence can be viewed from @2:17 to @2:53.
Analysis: This was a delayed call if there ever was one. The referee didn’t compute the Pratt contact quickly enough and only reacted to Burton falling down with an incorrect call that might not have even been a violation.
● Ever the opportunist, Floyd and the Cyclones score on a quick inbounds to Clay Edwards, who makes a left-handed layup for a 67-66 Iowa State lead.
● Cincinnati brings the ball up court and calls a timeout. The Cincinnati fans are booing quite loudly as Huggins complains from @3:15 to @4:27. There are 26.4 seconds remaining.
● Out of the timeout Cincinnati’s offense is stalling when Pratt fouls Burton away from the basket. Brannen is seen celebrating on the sideline as he expects a free throw. However, Iowa State had a foul to give, with a young assistant who would replace Huggins at Cincinnati, Mick Cronin, informing Brannen of this cold reality.
● After an Iowa State timeout, Cincinnati inbounds the ball to Flint with 11 seconds to go. The senior lefty gets into the lane but short arms a floater @4:51. Iowa State senior Sean Bankhead grabs the rebound and is fouled with 4.3 seconds to go. Iowa State fans are celebrating, assuming a victory, while Huggins, assuming the worst, gets on the officials for the earlier missed foul of Burton.
● Shooting a one-and-one, Bankhead is long on the free throw @5:32. Patterson rebounds the ball and passes to Flint, who takes two dribbles and releases a shot just inside the half-court line that hits backboard but no rim @5:43. The horn sounds, Iowa State players running around in celebration, Cincinnati players frozen in stunned silence. The final: Iowa State 67, Cincinnati 66.
● With a bit of an uneven voice, Johnson announces that Iowa State has just reached its first Sweet Sixteen since 1985.
● As the Cyclones are seen exploding off the bench @5:45, one of the referee scurries off the floor, a fitting action for this runaway officiating in the last minute. Officiating is human, and there will always be errors. However, multiple mistakes at the end of the game are hard to swallow.
● It sounds weird to say, but if anyone could ever use a hug, it's Cincinnati's Huggie Bear and his disappointed soldiers after this game. Huggins would not get Cincinnati back to the Final Four after doing so in 1992.
● Iowa State would take advantage of this victory and appear to be on the verge of the Elite Eight during a Sweet Sixteen game against UCLA. However, UCLA's Cameron Dollar would steal the game with a last-second layup, leaving the Cyclones feeling as numb and heartbroken as Cincinnati just days before.
● Floyd would remain one more season at Iowa State. Despite a 12-18 finish in 1997/1998, Floyd had nothing to worry about as he had a another gig lined up in Chicago, just as Hoiberg would almost 20 years later.
RSS Feed