MIES (Switzerland) - Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below this week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: Telenet Giants Antwerp v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem – Screen and UF

The Yellow team is in offensive transition. Yellow 5 sets a screen on Red 69. The referees don’t call any infraction. Then, Red 14 grabs Yellow 55 and the referee calls a personal foul. The referees have doubts if this contact could be an Unsportsmanlike Foul. After checking the IRS, the referees upgrade the foul to Unsportsmanlike.

Here we have 2 different situations. First, the screen set by Yellow 5 on Red 69.

Article 33.7 states: Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when contact occurred.

Outcome 1: Incorrect decision from the referees. Yellow 5 did not respect the elements of time and distance when setting the screen on a moving opponent, Red 69. A team control foul should have been called and the ball awarded to the Red team for a throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction.

Second action, the foul made by Red 14.

Article 46.12 states: The crew chief is authorised to use the IRS, during any time of the game, to decide whether a personal, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul met the criteria for such a foul or shall be upgraded or downgraded.

Article 37.1.1 states: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact foul which, in the judgement of an official is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.

Outcome 2: Correct decision from the referees. The contact created by Red 14 on Yellow 55 meets the criteria to be called as an Unsportsmanlike Foul. Yellow 55 will attempt 2 free throws followed by a throw-in for the Yellow team at the throw-in line in their front court with 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Tough Call 2: Gaziantep v Mornar Bar – Goaltending

During the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter, the Blue team steal the ball and start a fast break. Blue 11 lays the ball up while White 41 comes running from behind and blocks the shot. The referee calls a goaltending violation.

Article 46.12 states: The crew chief is authorised to use the IRS, when the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime to decide whether a goaltending or basketball interference violation was called correctly.

After the IRS review, the referees decide that it was a legal block and no violation was made. The ball was awarded for a throw-in to the White team following the alternating possession rule.

Article 31.2.1 states: Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:

• It is on its downward flight to the basket.
• After it has touched the backboard.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. IRS can be used during the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and last 2 minutes of each overtime to review if a goaltending or interference violation was called correctly or not.  In the review, the referees saw that the ball was not completely above the rim, so the shot was legally blocked.

Article 12.3 states: A jump ball situation occurs when the ball becomes dead when neither team has control of the ball nor is entitled to the ball.

When the referee called the violation neither of the teams were in control of the ball and the ball became dead. Therefore, the alternating possession rule must be followed and the ball awarded for a throw-in to the team entitled to the next alternating possession. In this case, the arrow was for the White team.

Tough Call 3: San Pablo Burgos v Rasta Vechta - Screening

When the third period is about to end, Black 7 is going to attempt a 3-point shot. Black 21 creates a contact with Purple 12 and the referees call a team control foul.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Black 21 pushed an opponent before the ball had left the shooter’s hand(s). The ball will be awarded to the Purple team for a throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction.

Article 41.2.2 states: If a personal foul is committed by a player of the team in control of the live ball, or of the team entitled to the ball, such a foul shall be penalized by a throw-in for the opponents (regardless if that team is in team fouls penalty or not).

The shot clock device will be turned off because there will be a new team control of the ball and there are fewer than 14 seconds on the game clock.

Tough Call 4: SIG Strasbourg v Türk Telekom - IRS

When the game is about to end, the referee calls a personal foul to Black 7 on White 10, who is in the act of shooting. Almost at the same time, the buzzer sounds for the end of the playing time.

Article 46.12 states: The crew chief is authorised to use the IRS, at the end of the quarter or overtime, to decide whether and how much time shall be displayed on the game clock if a foul was committed before the end of the quarter or overtime.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The personal foul was committed before the buzzer. After the IRS review, the game clock was corrected to show 0.9 seconds to be played. White 10 shall attempt 2 free throws and the game will continue as after any last free throw.

Tough Call 5: UNET Holon v Lietkabelis - IRS

When the game is about to end, the referee calls a personal foul to Yellow 17 on Red 66 who is attempting a 3-point shot, for a contact on the shooter’s hand. After the whistle for the foul, the buzzer sounds for the end of the playing time.

Article 46.12 states: The crew chief is authorised to use the IRS, at the end of the quarter or overtime, to decide whether and how much time shall be displayed on the game clock if a foul was committed before the end of the quarter or overtime.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The personal foul was committed before the buzzer. After the IRS review, the game clock was corrected to show 0.9 seconds to be played. Red 66 shall attempt 3 free throws and the game will continue as after any last free throw.