Perhaps this is a comment that should appear on the sports pages, but it’s time for individuals other than sports fans to take an interest in the quality of officiating in college basketball.

Most basketball players in Division I universities are bigger, taller and faster than ever before. In most instances, the game is faster and more physical, increasing the chances of injury.

Along with these factors, college basketball has become BIG business. It is not a game of finesse, as originally designed by its inventor, Dr. James Naismith. The salaries and earnings for many coaches exceed $1 million a year, and the recruiting of players has reached a point where almost anything goes if it will help land a superstar. Revenues for university athletic departments are massive, and gambling in all forms is a constant worry. Add to these factors the fact that fans, as well as players, are becoming increasingly emotional at games because so much is riding on the outcome.

One of the disturbing facets of the college basketball scene is what many consider to be a deterioration in the quality of officiating. Just as basketball has become a big-time activity, the business of being an official has become big-time with many men, and perhaps a few women, making officiating a full-time job during the season. They travel from fieldhouse to fieldhouse four, five and six times a week to put on their striped shirts and blow their whistles.

The only trouble is that there is growing concern about whether the officials are staying on top of the game. An increasing number of bad or questionable calls and what appear to be officiating inconsistencies have been noted. Refs are out of position or perhaps not in top physical condition. In some cases they let games get out of control. Yet, despite all these circumstances, which result in a lack of respect for officials, there is little indication that league or school administrators are disciplining officials for poor performances.

It is time for NCAA officials to take a serious look at the caliber of basketball officiating. Maybe four officials are needed to referee a game, rather than the current three. Unless something is done to improve the officiating, there are bound to be more fights and serious injuries among players, as well as a growing danger of crowd misbehavior, coaches electing to get out of the game and the possibility that gambling could play larger role in the outcome of games.

Players, coaches and fans in the stands must have respect for the officials. Otherwise, there will be serious trouble. The excellence of officials must be at a level that justifies this respect and support. Unfortunately, the performance of many officials, at least in the Big 12 Conference, leaves much to be desired.