Ed Hightower

cyfan964

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2006
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Simple question.... is he the worst official in the history of officiating?

Even though I only know of officials for the past 25 years my vote would still have to go for.......yes, yes he is.

I do enjoy his enthusiasm, however.
 
I think the more some of these guys referee the worse they get. For example, John Higgins does a lot of our games. In the late 90s, I thought he was a pretty good referee. I was always happy to see him. However in the last five years or so I think he has really gotten worse. I don't like to see him do Cyclone games. I believe he anticipates a lot, and doesn't really call what he sees.
 
Simple question.... is he the worst official in the history of officiating?



Jim Bain.

Had to listen to Charlie Spoonhauer (sp?) the other day doing color for a Valley game say how good Jim Bain was as he is now the director of officials for that conference. I would have to say Bain was not a favorite in this state.
 
I always here the "experts" saying Ed is one of the best. He must have photos of them with farm animals. He is terrible.
 
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He's been pretty atrocious. The KU-MSU game last weekend had 55 fouls and took over 2 and a half hours, in regulation. And it wasn't really a close game. Hightower just loves blowing his whistle, and gets a little bit into the theatrics of officiating. I think a good rule for refs is that the less you notice them, the better they are. Hightower always makes you notice him.

In contrast, though, he actually is pretty good in the tournament. I'm not sure what kind of switch gets flipped, but he's far worse in the regular season.

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More here - http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=172&f=3725&t=1884620
 
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I like Hightower but it seems like he has gotten more picky the last few seasons and calls some pretty gentle fouls. I would say he is definitely not the worst official, and at one point was probably one of the best.
 
Ed Hightower makes sure he is in the spotlight at least once during every televised game. Usually this involves making a call from out of position, running across the court to the spot of the infraction and overruling the ref making the original call.
 
Whoever it was that called the "both charging and blocking" foul on Paul Shirley, which cost ISU the Elite 8 game against MSU. Give me his name and he gets my vote...
 

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