Originally Posted by
cspan37421
I'll be watching that one again soon. The issue was touched upon briefly in the Final against Kansas. I think they showed an extra long piece of bright tape applied to the floor (near each bench) so the coaches knew where they could not cross.
Over the years, there seems to be no consistency at all with respect to staying on the sideline in the coach's "box". Sometimes, esp. during a regular season game, a coach is a step or two on the floor itself, when action is at the other end. Far and away more than going a step too far toward the centerline. Nothing is usually called.
My SWAG is that Smith had probably ridden the refs throughout and, given his stature in the history of the game, they felt they needed something undeniable to point to, to justify tossing him with a second T.
I think Lute Olson would get the same fawning media treatment. K would probably too, if he would allow for some grey hair so that his appearance would be more consistent with that of a long-time legendary, distinguished, older coach.