My daughter refs D-1 lacrosse games. It's unclear what coaches (and fans) think is gained by screaming. I know we all think it jerks the refs chain and puts them back in line. But refs don't think that. They think it's performative horse hockey and lack of self-control.
yes refs are human too and not idiots. They can usually see through the charade, and probably end up preferring the coaches that show them more respect and exhibit more class. I know this as someone who used to complain while playing, I'd get the opposite of preferential treatment when I did
This has always puzzled me too. I know if someone screams at me about something I did, the last thing I usually feel is “Man what a good point this person made. Maybe I should reconsider the way I approach this in future to include this new perspective.”
Bobby Knight absolutely intimidated the refs and got more than his share of favorable calls. No way they win the 87 title without his antics. (Auburn had them on the ropes in the early rounds before Knight went ballistic..) More recently we saw Smart somehow get our 1st down reversed in our 23 game. Everyone who looked at it thought it was an easy first down, but Smart protested and the refs said " Yes sir." But those were both NC winning coaches. That is a very small group. I agree that usually out of control screaming probably hurts the cause rather than helps it. But we have a lot of fans that think the opposite.
Personally, I think it's nice to consider the games towards which we so anxiously looked, and see them victories in our rear view mirror. These guys will lose eventually, and this board will return to carping and 2d-guessing as is it's wont - but for now, all is sunny in Gainesville! I appreciate the manner of our team, based on what I see. Focused, business-like, energetic. Basketball is a mystery to me in many ways, more so than many sports, so I don't see many of things seen by others with deeper insight. Did we win? YEA! Did we lose? Darn. I do learn a lot here, though, and am grateful for the knowledge.
I think most of us (or at least I hope) can see what kind of team we have so won't be quite so crazy when we lose, as we will (hopefully) see the bigger picture - that this team has the potential to make a deep run in March. There are a hell of a lot things that will happen, some completely outside our control, that will sway for or against us come March/April...but for now we all have to be incredibly happy with the way the season has started. The Big Boy league is starting soon, we'll really see what this team is made of
Yes for anyone that has ever been in an argument, ever...we should be able to understand it rarely if ever works
