WINSTON-SALEM -- N.C. State forward Tracy Smith was frustrated after the Wolfpack's 67-59 loss to Wake Forest on Sunday night.
Smith watched almost the final 9 minutes of the first half from the bench with foul trouble and then fouled out with 5:28 left in the game. Smith said the officials "favored" Wake Forest and called too many touch fouls after he played a season-low 23 minutes and matched his season low with 11 points.
"The refs, I don't think they did a good job tonight," Smith said. "I think they favored Wake Forest all the way but that's ACC basketball. You've got to play through that."
A crew of Karl Hess, Joe Lindsay and Sean Hull called 25 fouls on State and 17 on Wake. The free throws were relatively even at 23 to 19 in Wake's favor. Still, Smith said, the flow of the game was interrupted by the officiating.
"I felt like there was too many touch fouls," Smith said. "It's a man's game, I mean there's going to be touching and hitting, you can't call every little touch foul."
Comments
I agree that the performance
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 19:27 — mad_maxI agree that the performance by the refs favored Wake in this game, but it's definitely not Smith's place to make these comments publicly. I'm sure people out there will disagree and argue with me, but like most games, I have this one on my dvr and their are PLENTY of critical mistakes by the refs that hurt the Pack big time, particularly all the times that Javi got mugged with no call. Then to see us get called for so many questionable touch fouls, including having Smith fouled out, just made it even worse. Then we get to hear Ish Smith talking about how they were able to shut down Tracy and that was a big key to the win....really?!? 'Cause the man had a double-double despite sitting on the bench in foul trouble for almost half the game.
I understand refs not being perfect, and missing bang-bang plays sometimes, but when I watch our guys completely get mugged, I'm talking when wake didn't even get ANY ball and sent our guys to the ground, then it's really time to start questioning the competence of our beloved ACC officials. I'm not worried about Karl Hess and the gang having it out for Smith and the Wolfpack now, because quite frankly, I feel like Hess usually does give us the shaft more often than not...how much worse could it get? We see this nonsense every year. It's not that I think the ACC refs are cheating, I just think they have certain expectations and assumptions for every team/player, and they also let the crowd influence them too often.
I understand the right thing to do is not harp on bad officiating and go back to work to get ready for the next game, and I completely agree that's what the coaches and players should do...good thing I'm just a fan.
We have all been frustrated
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 14:30 — duke_blueWe have all been frustrated at one time or another at some of the calls the officials make. In the heat of the moment you have to think about what you are saying and of course....you don't voice your opinion in front of a camera and with reporters who are writing down everything you are saying....duh!!!
Settle down, Tracy.
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 00:22 — JPDOhioI don't disagree that there were bad calls, but I didn't see any favoritism. And there were just as many fouls that were unnecessary and just plain dumb. I do think Tracy got mugged several times with no call, but when the fouls were called, State missed to many free throws.
Forget the refs, nothing good comes from obsessing over that. Get back to campus and get back to work.
Not a smart move
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 00:21 — Heels20I personally have no problem with what Smith said. It was frustrating just watching the game because of all the stoppages. However, it was stupid for Smith to say that the officiating "favored" Wake. It's one thing to say that poor calls were made, but you're only making enemies out of officials when you imply that they cheated you in any way. If I was Sidney Lowe, I'd be telling Smith to issue some kind of apology just for the team's sake. This won't be the last time that this crew calls a State game.
OK for players to criticize officials?
Mon, 12/21/2009 - 00:14 — melvinfurdWhen did it become OK for players to criticize game officials? Somehow, I missed that.