Big Ten removes referee Ted Valentine from 2 games after turning his back to UNC player

There is no referee in college basketball as infamous as “TV Teddy.”

Ted Valentine’s name has become synonymous with controversy during his nearly three decades as a ref. Valentine was the official who got into a high-profile argument with Bobby Knight after ejecting him from a game in 1998, and he was also the official who got right up in Mick Cronin’s grill back in 2014.

Valentine was in the news again last week for the wrong reasons. And now it has cost him at least two games he was supposed to officiate for the Big Ten.

Valentine has been removed from Sunday’s Ohio State-Michigan State game, according to Seth Davis at The Athletic. He was also pulled from Friday’s game between Wisconsin and Rutgers.

Per Davis, the conference’s decision was a response to Valentine’s actions towards North Carolina star Joel Berry II during Florida State’s win over the Tar Heels last Wednesday. Here’s the full sequence:

Berry was clearly held by Florida State’s Terance Mann on his way down the court. When he went to argue the call, Valentine turned his back to the UNC senior during a dead-ball situation, refusing to hear him out.

The incident brought “TV Teddy” another wave of negative attention. Valentine also told The Athletic that he’s now considering retiring:

“I’ve had enough of people blowing up stuff. I think I’ve had a stellar career, and I think it’s time to get ready to walk away.”

Valentine has worked the Final Four 10 times during his career.