NCAA basketball ref says he has had death threats
John Higgins o∞ ciated the Elite Eight game that Kentucky lost 75- 73.
Referee John Higgins, who lives in Omaha, reported he received death threats after Kentucky’s loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, a Nebraska law enforcement official said Wednesday.
Higgins’ roofing company received about 3,000 harassing e- mails and an unknown number of phone calls, some including death threats, said Capt. Kevin Griger, investigations commander for the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department.
North Carolina defeated Kentucky 75- 73 on Sunday to advance to the Final Four, winning on Luke Maye’s last-seconds hot. Kentucky coach John Calipari opened his news conferencewith a comment about foul calls, complaining about his freshmen stars Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk each picking up two fouls in the first half.
“You know, it’s amazing that we were in that game where they practically fouled out my team. Amazing that we had a chance,” Calipari said.
Calipari on Wednesday tried to calm the fan reaction on Twitter.
“I always brag thatwe have the classiest fans in the country,” Calipari said. “Let’s make sure we remain thatway even after a tough loss.”
The Facebook page for Higgins’ roofing company also was inundated with negative comments about Higgins and the quality of his company’s work. Griger described it as an orchestrated effort to “run down his Better Business Bureau rating.”
Higgins also spoke with Omaha Police Chief Todd Sch ma der er about death threats he received on his home phone, which has an unlisted number, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
Higgins’ home is in Omaha, in Douglas County, and his roofing company’s office is in neighboring Sarpy County. Omaha police spokesman Michael Pecha said officers are providing extra attention to Higgins’ residence.
Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball, said Higgins is still scheduled to work one of the games in the Final Four in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday. Higgins will be working his eighth Final Four.
It’s unclear whether the two other officials who worked the game, Keith Kimble and Mike Reed, received any threats.