The ACC is taking the fun out of the game

This morning, the Washington Post ran an article detailing the ACC's decision to assess a technical foul for excessive celebration.

My reaction to this rule can be summed up in three words: What. A. Joke.

College basketball, despite the corrupt recruiting processes and the shady academics and its big business nature, remains the most exciting sport to watch.

Why?

Don't be surprised if this guy gets a couple techs with the ACC's new rule.
(photo credit: life.com)

Because of the passion displayed by these guys. Each and every game. It is a sport that thrives on the emotion of the players and energy of the crowd. It is a sport where a game-changing swing in momentum can be triggered by one big play.

Think about how often you see it. Throughout a game, one team is struggling to find a rhythm and to play with intensity. But with one emphatic block or one thunderous dunk, that team and their crowd gets a burst of energy, goes on a quick 8-0 run, and takes control of the game. It is a part of the game.

Now, to their credit, the ACC has stated that their intention is not to take the passion out of the game and not to penalize a player for showing the emotion that any 20 year old would in that situation. They are simply trying to eliminate the taunting that sometimes happens after a big play.

I have no problem with the intention of the rule.

I do, however, question the likelihood that it will be implemented and utilized in that manner.

The ACC is putting a ton of pressure on their referees to make snap decisions. These guys already have enough on their plate.

Let me paint a picture for you. Its late in the season, and Clemson is playing Duke in a game that has ACC championship and NCAA Tournament implications. Trevor Booker makes a cut to the basket, elevating and dunking over Kyle Singler, who slid over to try and take a charge. Not only is the ref going to have to determine whether or not Singler was set in time, he is going to have to make a snap decision on whether Singler was positioned outside the new charge semi-circle (a line the NCAA deemed did not need to be drawn on the floor) AND whether or not Booker's inevitable celebratory reaction should be deemed "excessive" and be worthy of a technical.

And what if he does call a tech?

Even if it was ruled a block, there goes all the momentum that Clemson garnered from the great play by Booker.

The bottom line is this: you cannot fault the ACC's intentions with this rule. Eliminating taunting from the game is not a bad thing.

I just hope that the ACC's refs don't affect the outcome of a game with an incorrect call.

Don't think that will happen? Georgia football fans would probably disagree.