Fantastic game to watch live... except for the fact that barely 1500 fans were in attendance.
One other factor: the refs... I've read & re-read the NCAA 2022 rule changes and official "emphases" for the upcoming season, particularly regarding how to call charges-and-or-flops, especially in the front court... when to call a technical on a flop, and especially how to differentiate an offensive charge on a post-up move. This crew actually seemed to be calling the game by 2021-22 standards. Both coaches were so frustrated, they were ready to pull their hair out (cept that neither had much to pull from their pates). Montana actually benefitted from three second-half flops (wrongly called, I believe).
The rule changes for this year are good. The rules direct less emphasis on in-paint post-up contact (fewer charging calls either way), with technicals for flopping (O and D) and one ft awarded to the opposing team) before a continuance of normal game flow. THINK: Similar to how the game is currently called in the NBA.
Significantly, players are adjusting quickly. But last night, that did not include the refs. Players on both teams seemed confused at this crew's contact calls. Fans started yelling, "Let em play!" It was a fun game. It would have been more enjoyable with about 10-15 fewer inessential contact calls from the refs, who blew their whistles for 40 contact fouls.