Gregg Marshall has been exceedingly successful as coach of the Wichita State basketball team, although the Shockers were jettisoned from the NCAA championship tournament on Sunday by Kentucky.
Marshall is known as a tough and demanding coach, whose stare alone can cause a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward to think twice.
Marshall’s wife, Lynn, apparently is one tough cookie herself.
Following the loss to the Wildcats, during which a few of the referees’ decisions didn’t sit well with Lynn, she “went off on the refs,” including oaths, which led to a police officer escort.
Probably more was made of the incident than deserved, but it is worthwhile to mention that, as difficult as it is for some fans to accept, basketball is just a game and coaches and others, including their wives, should strive to maintain self-control.
Later, Lynn Marshall may have been a bit embarrassed when appraised of her rant, and we hope she understands that in a game as fast-paced as college basketball mistakes in officiating will occur.
In the vast majority of cases, the outcome is decided by the players, not the referees, although they are an easy target when the agony of defeat weighs heavily.
By the way, the sun came up Monday morning.
— Bob Johnson
