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

Kevin Thomas ready to win at the next level
After committing to LSU in October of 2025, Kevin Thomas thought he knew where he would spend his college basketball career as he chased his...
Thu Oct 22, 2026

Cole Anthony Wows Wyndham
Wednesday was a day to remember for a group of local basketball players with Melbourne United star Cole Anthony taking them through their paces at...
Thu Oct 22, 2026

Wes Miller on coaching against UNC: 'It’s always special to go back'
Wes Miller returns Tuesday night to familiar surroundings to coach at the Smith Center, where he once played and helped UNC win a national championship...
Thu Oct 22, 2026

Matt Able could have been drafted, now he’s trying to be great
When Matt Able started the draft process, he knew who he was — a leader, a playmaker and, in his opinion, the hardest working person...
Thu Oct 22, 2026