NIU researcher says national TV spotlight
linked to how refs call college hoops

DeKalb, Ill.- In a new study that would seem to confirm the suspicions of every college basketball fan who ever griped over officiating, a Northern Illinois University researcher is whistling a foul on the referees.

Kendall Thu, a faculty member in NIU's Department of Anthropology, says his study detects an unusual foul-call pattern in NCAA Division I officiating. However, it isn't the screaming of home-court fans that influences referees, but rather the presence of a national television spotlight.

"Referees tend to keep nationally televised games close by calling a significantly higher number of fouls against teams that are ahead in the score," Thu said. "This results in more competitive games that maintain an edge of suspense for viewers. Interestingly, we don't find the same pattern in games televised on a regional basis."

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