NCAA referee is target of death threats after Kentucky loss

(AP) — Referee John Higgins of Omaha reported he received death threats after Kentucky's loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, a Nebraska law enforcement official said Wednesday.

Higgins' roofing company received about 3,000 harassing emails and an unknown number of phone calls, some including death threats, said Capt. Kevin Griger, investigations commander for the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department.

Kentucky coach John Calipari opened his news conference with a comment about foul calls, complaining about freshmen stars Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk each picking up two fouls in the first half.

Higgins also spoke with Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer about death threats he received on his home phone, which has an unlisted number, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

Dan Gavitt, the NCAA's senior vice president of basketball, said Higgins is still scheduled to work one of the games in the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday.