The Fiery and Fickle Relationship Between College Basketball Coaches and Refs

Posted Mar 7, 2019
“Dean Smith said to me after he was retired, ‘John, that night we played Clemson, you called that block/charge and that was the wrong call,'’’ says John Clougherty, a referee for 30 years who later spent 11 years as the ACC’s director of officiating. Smith was referencing a game from the 1980s. “And I’m thinking, I’ve had 15,000 block/charges. But he remembers that.” (Sports Illustrated)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball Summer Pick-up Game Observations
Host Isaac Schade and Coach Bill Robinson discuss what stood out during Michael Malone's first summer camp session and which players are making strong impressions...
Fri Jun 26, 2026

What Henri Veesaar had to say at his Atlanta Hawks introductory press conference
Henri Veesaar on his basketball role models: "Since I was little I've liked watching Karl-Anthony Towns. I feel like he is one of those bigs...
Fri Jun 26, 2026

Caleb Wilson’s No. 4 Draft Selection is a Potential Recruiting Gold Mine for UNC Basketball
Caleb Wilson becoming UNC’s highest NBA Draft pick in more than 20 years is a win far beyond one night. His star power, visibility with...
Fri Jun 26, 2026

College basketball coaches on the top 2026 NBA draft picks
On Caleb Wilson: "In the open court, he was down the court in three dribbles. It felt like a college version of Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Is...
Thu Jun 25, 2026