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The Women’s Basketball Refereeing Problem

In the National Semi-finals of the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, I don’t think anyone was particularly happy about the refereeing. No one will say so explicitly lest they be sanctioned by the NCAA (fines for participants, access for press) but the whistle-holders were conspicuous in their inconsistency. There needs to be some reform.

The WNBA’s 8-second Backcourt Problem

Referees in the WNBA will blow their whistle for a violation of the 8-second backcourt rule when they see the 24-second shot clock hit 16. It seems logical. After all, 24-8 = 16. But that’s wrong in this context.