I agree that the early fouls on Blackshear were ticky tack.

I did some digging yesterday and over the past 9 contests (as far back as ESPN box scores detail personal fouls online), the Cardinals have typically been called for more fouls regardless of venue. Considering their style of play on defense and the full court pressure that Rick Pitino teams are known for, I don't really find that to be a surprising statistic. His teams are always aggressive defenders that try to harass ball handlers and turn them over. There are bad calls in every game....and I don't think this year's game was any different than history.

What I do think is that college basketball needs more new blood in the pool of referees. Some of these same guys have been calling games for a long time.


2005 @ Rupp Arena (UL+7)
Officials:
Doug Shows, Jim Burr, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 26 UK = 19



2006 @ Freedom Hall (even)
Officials:
James Burr, John Cahill, Robert Donato
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 21



2007 @ Rupp Arena (UK+6)
Officials:
Jim Burr, Mike Stuart, Doug Sirmons
Personal Fouls:
UL = 25 UK = 31



2008 @ Freedom Hall (UL+4)
Officials:
John Cahill, Tim Higgins, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 17



2009 @ Rupp Arena (UL+9)
Officials:
John Cahill, Doug Shows, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 30 UK = 21



2010 @ Yum Center (UL+3)
Officials:
Jim Burr, Mike Stuart, Michael Stephens
Personal Fouls:
UL = 18 UK = 15



2011 @ Rupp Arena (UL+7)
Officials:
Jamie Luckie, Michael Stephens, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 29 UK = 22



2012 @ Yum Center (even)
Officials:
John Cahill, Doug Shows, Ed Corbett
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 21



2013 @ Rupp Arena (UL+6)
Officials:
Tony Greene, Doug Sirmons, Mark Whitehead
Personal Fouls:
UL = 25 UK = 19