In my last article, I addressed the issue of why referees call games differently during conference play.  Again, I believe that this is an issue of perception, not reality and discussed a few reasons why I believe this perception exists.

The month of February is an interesting and challenging one for coaches, players, and also referees.  First, everyone seems tired, even if they say they aren’t.  February is a month where the conference standings are starting to sort themselves out a bit more than in January.  Those teams in a good position to make the tournament are more concerned about potential injuries - the same coaches who told me to “let the players play” in November now greet me with “you need to control the game or someone is going to get hurt.”  Again, my calls haven’t changed but the circumstances and the potential stakes certainly have.  At the opposite end of the spectrum are those teams who know that their last regular season game will be just that.  At times I see frustration from a long season boiling over and that can provide challenging situations for a referee.  Then there are those in the middle, still fighting for that playoff berth or better seeding and they are anxious and nervous in February.  So no one is immune from the “February Effect” and neither are referees.

It may have never occurred to you but referees go through a lot of those same emotions.  People sometimes forget that we have goals too.  Just like the teams, I want to be in the postseason too and arbitrarily changing the way I call a game during the conference play is not going to get me there.  Neither will missing calls or misapplying rules so we have a lot riding on these games as well.  And just like the players, there is nowhere to hide in this day and age.  But unlike a player, when I see myself on a SportsCenter highlight, you can bet that it usually is not because they are showing a referee making a great call!  Quite the opposite!  There is video and even internet now.  I have gotten several evaluations this year from my conference supervisors who watched the game via the internet.  We also have a lot riding on these February games and don’t want to “mess up” as much as you don’t want us to.

I will be out there, trying to survive February and just like the teams, working hard to get myself to the postseason.