[treetop11]

If fewer fouls were called, the play would have been rougher and there would have been more (uncalled) fouls.

I think that's a common belief, but I don't think there's a link to the number of fouls called and the effect on roughness. I think it's just...a lot of fouls called and it's still rough. IMO, neither Maryland nor Texas changed their aggressive style of defense throughout the game as a reaction to the number of fouls being called.

They did lose, though, so at least it's arguable that the refs calling fouls helped prevent the maul ballers from getting away with it

we probably benefit from a tighter called game because of our depth. But interestingly the large number of fouls called doesnt translate to an advantage at the ft line. Maryland shot 2 more free throws than we did. Texas shot 2  more free throws than we did up until the last 40 secs where they intentionally fouled twice. i think the refs will call some of the lighter stuff to even things out.

Think you have a point and why we tend to get more of the ticky tack or phantom ones called us all season. I know from sources that refs generally, not always, try to even out, or roughly so, the fouls between teams. This is their way of showing that the refs are deciding the game. So if one team is fouling a lot and gets called, the refs often will start calling them on the other team even in lesser fouls that normally would not get a whistle.

[treetop11]

If fewer fouls were called, the play would have been rougher and there would have been more (uncalled) fouls.

I think that's a common belief, but I don't think there's a link to the number of fouls called and the effect on roughness. I think it's just...a lot of fouls called and it's still rough. IMO, neither Maryland nor Texas changed their aggressive style of defense throughout the game as a reaction to the number of fouls being called.

They did lose, though, so at least it's arguable that the refs calling fouls helped prevent the maul ballers from getting away with it

we probably benefit from a tighter called game because of our depth. But interestingly the large number of fouls called doesnt translate to an advantage at the ft line. Maryland shot 2 more free throws than we did. Texas shot 2  more free throws than we did up until the last 40 secs where they intentionally fouled twice. i think the refs will call some of the lighter stuff to even things out.

Think you have a point and why we tend to get more of the ticky tack or phantom ones called us all season. I know from sources that refs generally, not always, try to even out, or roughly so, the fouls between teams. This is their way of showing that the refs are deciding the game. So if one team is fouling a lot and gets called, the refs often will start calling them on the other team even in lesser fouls that normally would not get a whistle.