Last night, 17 fouls were called. In the first half, 5 were called against VT and 1 was called against Duke. In the second half, 6 were called against VT, and 5 were called against Duke.

It's instructive to see WHEN the fouls were called.

Obviously, the 5/1 fouls in the first half were whistled when the game outcome was in doubt. That being said, I really didn't see Duke do a lot of fouling. In fact, I didn't see them playing much of any defense at all. We passed as easily as butter into the paint and just as easily slipped on it.

When the game was still in contention in the second half (20:00-11:00), 5 fouls were called on VT, and 3 fouls were called on Duke. Late in the game (Under 4:00), after only the margin was in doubt, 1 foul was called against VT and 3 fouls on Duke. Of special note was that 5 received his 3rd foul with 18:59 left in the game. I hate Duke.

Around 18:00, an official went over to K and engaged him in conversation. I jokingly suggested to my son that the official was asking K if he needed more fouls called on VT and when he should start popping a few non-damaging whistles on Duke. I hate Duke.

Looking at the game in isolation doesn't really inform any conspiracy. In fact, on the grand scale of Pro-Duke officiating, I've seen more extreme examples. I seem to recall certain teams a decade ago that were blasted by officials while Duke skated. However, when you see this type of subtle favorable officiating time after time against team after team, it really gnaws at your sensibilities. I hate Duke.

Would we have lost to Duke without unfavorable foul skulduggery? Absolutely. We missed at least 5 point-blank shots, didn't challenge the paint, passed up clean 15 foot shots for something more complicated, and we didn't rebound worth a Hoo. Yeah, we would have lost regardless.

But still. I hate Duke.

Done. Move on. GT.

I hate Duke.
[Post edited by Newt at 02/15/2018 6:23PM]