Rash of flagrant foul calls in NCAA tournament drawing criticism

The NCAA has put an emphasis on calling flagrant fouls.

That's become evident during the NCAA tournament, as officials have huddled around TV monitors in seemingly most games.

The NCAA changed its rules in 2011 to add Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 fouls to replace its previous rules on intentional and flagrant fouls.

Criticism over the calls during the tournament has stemmed largely from flagrant fouls against offensive players.

Creighton's Doug McDermott was called for elbowing Cincinnati's Shaquille Thomas in the face while trying to escape a trap and Pittsburgh's Lamar Patterson was called for one after hitting Wichita State's Ron Baker in the face on a drive to the basket.

And this is just the first weekend. The flagrant fouls are sure to continue as the tournament progresses.