Pac-12 to review officiating
The Pac-12 will conduct another investigation of the officiating at the men's conference tournament in the wake of comments by former head of officials Ed Rush that led to his resignation last week, CBSSports.com reported Wednesday.
During an officials' meeting at the tournament in Las Vegas last month, Rush offered money and a trip to referees who ejected or called technical fouls on Arizona coach Sean Miller. Rush initially said he was joking but later acknowledged his mistake.
Urged by Pac-12 presidents, commissioner Larry Scott said the conference has decided to review what transpired at the tournament and also evaluate its officiating in general. The results will be presented to the executive committee of the conference's CEO Group governing board in June, according to CBSSports.com
"After considering the matter, Commissioner Scott and I agree that an independent review is important to maintain the confidence of our members, and of the public, in the integrity of our competition," CEO Group chair Edward J. Ray said. "While the review will focus primarily on the tournament, we expect that it will inform a broader examination of our men's basketball officiating and help us provide the best possible program."
After a post-tournament investigation, Scott said he believed Rush's comments were made in jest. But additional information indicated that Rush was serious. Miller was called for a technical in a tight semifinal game against UCLA with 4:37 left that Arizona lost.
"Nothing is more important to the Pac- 12, or to me personally, than maintaining confidence in our integrity," Scott said, according to CBSSports.com. "Given the conflicting media reports, it is important that we do whatever we can to understand all the facts, not only to resolve the questions about officiating during the tournament but also to learn lessons that will help us make changes and improvements to our overall program."
