Concerning Pre-Season Officiating

Last year teams averaged between 17.5 fouls per game per team for an average of 35 fouls per game total and 14.3 free throws per team per game for an average of 28 free throws total per game.

So far in Pre Season: Average of 54 fouls per game are being called, and a combined 62.5 free throws per game are being shot. That is an INSANE jump. And honestly games have been tough to watch with so many phantom fouls being called.

I know there was an officiating committee that took place during the offseason but there HAS to be a balance between dangerous physicality and turning games into free throw shooting contests.

Some of this is pre season and bad players playing more but in general I think the officiating has been tough to watch.

Break down below (only games between 2 WNBA teams):

Dallas/Fever: 53 total fouls called, 42 and 17 free throws for each team

CT vs Toronto: 62 total fouls called, 28 free throws, 21 free throws for each team

Dream vs Sky: 51 total fouls called : 30 free throws, 30 free throws for each team

Portland vs Seattle: 61 total fouls called 41 free throws, 42 freethrows for each team

NY vs Fever: 49 total fouls called, 23 free throws and 30 free throws for each team

Mercury vs Sky: 58 fouls called, 48 free throws and 38 free throws for each team

Mystics vs Lynx: 52 total fouls called, 40 free throws and 26 free throws for each team

Valks vs Storm: 48 total fouls, 26, 16 free throws for each team

For comparisons sake, the NBA averages 39 fouls per game and 45 free throws per game and that is with 8 extra minutes.

Will be interested how this trends continues through the actual season.