What was all the Hobson-Tavernari drama?

How close was BYU’s 83-81 loss to New Mexico?

You could say by a tiny stomach virus that struck Jimmer Fredette, the league’s top scorer. You could say it was a Charles Abouo block that was judged to be a foul, negating a Michael Loyd dunk. You could say it’s as close as a Darington Hobson block on Noah Hartsock with two seconds left that was judged clean as Clorox but looked the same as Abouo’s block.

That’s why this game had tons of emotion and plenty of pent up anger, evident by a few paper cups and other garbage thrown at officials as they left the court at the end of the game. Totally classless by a few wingnuts. The Lobos deserved the win and earned it.

UNM’s Steve Alford praised the officiating crew for keeping things in control. Good thing, because it almost got away from them after Hobson landed a hard elbow on Jonathan Tavernari following a UNM timeout in the closing minute. Tavernari shoved Hobson back. Apparently no clear replay showed Hobson’s action which could have resulted in a key flagrant foul.

If it had been ruled a punch, Hobson would have been ejected. There would be no Hobson block on Hartsock with two seconds left as the BYU sophomore drove for what looked like an easy bucket.

BYU coach Dave Rose protested loud and hard to lead official Randy McCall.

Witnesses I spoke to at the scoring table who saw Hobson’s elbow to Tavernari’s chest right in front of them described it was a hard swipe. It so angered Tavernari, who retaliated, he never let it go even after the game. When it happened, he went nuts. He had to be restrained at the time.

This incident happened with about a minute to play in the game with the score tied at 80. Michael Loyd had just scored back-to-back buckets on drives to the rim after J.T. forced Hobson to turnover the ball on the sideline with pressure. The two had been going at it.

Had officials ruled Hobson had thrown an elbow, it would have been a flagrant foul and could have had an impact on the game. He could have also been ejected. Didn’t happen.

After the game, Tavernari had words with Alford at the handshake line. Alford was caught on tape swearing at Tavernari. A UNM assistant coach Wyking Jones then had words with Tavernari, telling him, “What are your going to do about it? What are you going to do about it?” Tavernari had to be restrained as assistant athletic director Duff Tittle pulled him back.

As Alford left the arena, he swore at the fans above the tunnel. Again, caught on tape by freelancer Kevin Mitchell, who said he might post it on YouTube.

This isn’t the first time incidents have happened with this Lobo staff after a game. A year ago after a game with Larry Eustacy’s Southern Miss team lost to the Lobos. After a face off and heated words, security was called to escort the Lobo staff off the floor. It happened again after a UTEP game two years ago. An Albuquerque reporter who covers the Lobos says words between players and benches have been an issue half a dozen times with Alford’s staff.

BYU athletic director followed Tavernari to the locker room and then accompanied him to the Lobo locker room where Tavernari apologized for what every he said to Alford in the handshake line. I have been unable to find out what Tavernari said, which obviously set off the Lobo staff.

Alford then told the media afterwards, Tavernari is a competitor and things got very emotional out there. He described Tavernari’s protest of the elbow as a mutual thing between him and Hobson (shoving).

Asked about the row with J.T., Hobson said he has known Tavernari for years and respects him, whatever happened was in the heat of the battle.

“He talked to our coach. I’m sorry it happened on senior night,” said Hobson. “He’s the winningest player in BYU history and I respect him. He grew up in Las Vegas and he’s a friend of mine. It was a classy thing he did after the game (coming to our locker room).

Asked if he was concerned when officials reviewed the tape, that he’d get called for an elbow, he said he was not concerned. “It was both shoving. It was our competitive nature. He’s as competitive as anyone. We both want to win.”

A close game? This was extremely close. A call or two one way or the other could have made a difference.

But what I wrote in my column is it came down to plays. The Lobos made them and the Cougars did not. New Mexico is the best team in the Mountain West and has proved it over a long season. The 13-game win streak speak for itself.