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'It's a tough deal to live with that': Inside the high-pressure world of March Madness referees

Related Topics: John Higgins

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In 2011, Jeffrey Anderson stood on the court at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati and breathed a sigh of relief.

Toward the end of a Crosstown Shootout matchup between rivals Cincinnati and Xavier, the action had not erupted into chaos the way Anderson -- a young referee at the time -- had anticipated. He was proud.

Seconds later, everything changed. Punches were thrown following a late air ball, and Anderson sprinted into a scrum as players from both teams spilled onto the floor. The scuffle forced officials to end the game early.