CINCINNATI — Since the first jump ball of the season rose from their hands, the 1,000 or so referees who work men’s Division I college basketball games have been trying to turn heads and earn a spot in the N.C.A.A. tournament.
Like the teams they officiate, the referees are being judged and graded to see if they are worthy of working in the postseason. Only 100 of them will make it that far, and only 10 will get to work the Final Four. Just like the teams, they are judged on their consistency and excellence under pressure during every step of a long season.