NCAA says fewer officials at men’s tournament shouldn’t affect quality

NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said Tuesday he was not concerned about a dilution in the quality of officiating for the men’s tournament after six referees were disqualified due to one positive COVID-19 test and subsequent close contacts that were determined by the Marion County Public Health Department in Indiana. 

Among that group, according to a report by Stadium, are some of the most well-regarded veteran referees in college basketball including Ted Valentine, John Higgins and Roger Ayers. The NCAA would not identify which officials were impacted due to privacy laws. 

“It’s an unfortunate and disappointing situation for everyone involved,” Gavitt said. 

The NCAA typically utilizes 109 officials for the tournament, narrowing that group for each round based on how their performance was graded. This year, because the NCAA is playing the entire tournament in the Indianapolis area and trying to limit the number of people within the closed environment, the NCAA had just 60 officials pegged to work the tournament with 17 alternates lined up in case of COVID-19 positives or other issues. 

“We’re still well within what we’d have in a normal year,” Gavitt said. “All 17 (alternates) have been evaluated through the entire season by (head of officiating) J.D. Collins and his staff to be tournament-worthy officials.”

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