Kentucky Wildcats

Report: Elite Eight ref gets death threats from Kentucky fans

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated, SI Wire/Sports Illustrated

NCAA referee John Higgins, who worked the Elite Eight game between North Carolina and Kentucky, met with law enforcement to discuss receiving death threats, reports ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman and Dana O'Neil.

According to the report, Higgins met with authorities for more than two hours on Tuesday after receiving death threats, and multiple calls to his business and residence.

Higgins, who owns a company called Rooferees, received bad reviews on the company's Facebook page from Kentucky fans.

Higgins was one of the officials for Sunday's South Regional final game between the Wildcats and Tar Heels.

Kentucky was whistled for 19 fouls in the game and North Carolina had 18 fouls, but Carolina went to the free throw line 26 times compared to Kentucky's 19.

Higgins is expected to work this weekend's Final Four games from Phoenix.

- Scooby Axson

Get more from Kentucky Wildcats Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Kentucky Wildcats

SEC