Basketball isn’t meant to be a free-throw shooting contest. But, well….that’s exactly what it’s turning into. The basketball community is over it. The moment conference play kicked in, games started feeling like nonstop whistle-fests. Even if you don’t watch college hoops religiously, you’ve probably seen Dan Hurley’s viral meltdowns about it. Coaches lose their minds over officiating all the time. But one coach, Mark Pope—usually too nice for all that—actually has a solution.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach is, by all accounts, a good guy. Some might say too good. He’s all about positivity, uplifting energy, and, apparently, patience. He hasn’t racked up a single technical this season. But even Pope has had his moments. And while he usually avoids taking shots at officiating, this time, he spoke up for all 363 Division I coaches.
“I want coaches to be able to have one opportunity for a review. It takes the onus off the officials. It puts the pressure on the coaches to use some discretion. I want to have a flag that I can throw onto the floor,” coach Pope said.
Sounds familiar? That’s because the NBA already has a Coach’s Challenge system, letting coaches contest calls like fouls and out-of-bounds plays. But in the NCAA, nothing. Implementing it could take some heat off officials and bring some much-needed fairness to the game.
Are you tired of “a million” reviews in college basketball games? Well, Mark Pope is too.
“I want coaches to be able to have one opportunity for a review. It takes the onus off the officials. It puts the pressure on the coaches to use some discretion. I want to have a flag that…
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 4, 2025
Sure, it’d come with limitations—maybe a lost timeout if the challenge fails—but at least it gives something. Because right now? It’s getting worse day by day.
The post 363 National Coaches Chose Ignorance But Mark Pope Breaks Silence on NCAA Major Red Flag Draining College Basketball Community appeared first on EssentiallySports.
