Canzano: Bailing out the Pac-12 officials
Is the conference officiating on auto-pilot?
Tony Padilla’s “other” job is as a bail bondsman. I don’t envy it. Tough gig. But on Wednesday, the long-time Pac-12 basketball official was in Tempe, Ariz. where he worked that evening’s Arizona State men’s basketball game against UCLA.
ASU blew a 15-point lead in the second half. It lost composure. The Sun Devils’ players were whistled for four technical fouls, and did a lot wrong. But those observing the game in person noted that Padilla was quick with his whistle, inconsistent with the T’s, and appeared to single out ASU players.
Andrew Martin, a reporter on press row credentialed on behalf of this news publication, told me: “Most not even warranted.”
Sun Devils’ coach Bobby Hurley stormed into the post-game news conference after the 68-66 loss with the box score clenched in his fist. It’s not the first time Hurley and Padilla have had issues during a game.