
James Breeding is a basketball referee who has officiated in nine conferences, primarily in the Big East and Atlantic Coast conferences. He has also officiated in Conference USA and the Atlantic 10. Breeding has been selected for the NCAA Men's Final Four four times, and has been chosen for the last 10 NCAAM tournaments, except for 2013, when he missed due to injury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | James Breeding |
| Occupation | Basketball referee |
| Conferences | Big East, Atlantic Coast, Conference USA, Atlantic 10 |
| Teams | Louisville Bats |
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What You'll Learn

Big East Conference
James Breeding is a basketball referee who primarily officiates in the Big East Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has also officiated in Conference USA, the Atlantic 10, and other leagues. Breeding has worked his way up from the podunk leagues to the grandest stage in college basketball, grinding his way to the top by driving across harsh, dark highways in the Midwest, East Coast, and South.
Breeding has had a long and successful career, including a stint with the Louisville Bats. He has been selected for the Final Four on multiple occasions, making his first appearance in 2019. During that first Final Four, Breeding made a crucial call in the game between Auburn and Virginia, ruling that Auburn guard Samir Doughty fouled Virginia's Kyle Guy. This decision was backed by CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore and others. Breeding's call was correct, and it demonstrated his expertise and quick thinking as a referee.
The Big East Conference is a college athletic conference that was founded in 1979. It is composed primarily of schools from the eastern United States, including both public and private institutions. The conference is well-known for its competitive basketball programs, and it has produced several notable NBA players over the years. The Big East has a rich history and has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of college basketball.
Breeding's role in the Big East Conference involves officiating basketball games and ensuring fair play. He is responsible for enforcing the rules, making critical calls, and maintaining the integrity of the game. Breeding's experience and skills as a referee have earned him recognition within the conference, and he has been selected to officiate in several important games, including the Final Four.
The Big East Conference has a rigorous schedule, with teams playing multiple games throughout the regular season. Breeding's role as a referee is crucial to the smooth running of these games, and he is respected for his ability to make quick and accurate decisions. His presence in the Big East Conference contributes to the overall quality and excitement of the games, as fair and impartial officiating is essential to the sport. Breeding's work in the Big East and other conferences has established him as a respected and influential figure in the world of basketball refereeing.
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Atlantic Coast Conference
James Breeding is a basketball referee who primarily officiates in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as well as eight other conferences. Breeding has been selected for the NCAAM tournaments ten times, missing only the 2013 tournament due to injury.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is one of the most prestigious and competitive conferences in college basketball. It is made up of 15 prestigious universities across the East Coast of the United States, including Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Notre Dame. The ACC is known for its strong basketball tradition and has produced many notable NBA players, such as Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner.
As a referee in the ACC, Breeding is responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining the integrity of the game. He must have an in-depth knowledge of the rules and be able to make quick and accurate decisions during fast-paced gameplay. Breeding's job requires him to travel across the East Coast to officiate games at various universities within the conference.
Breeding has gained recognition for his officiating skills and has been selected to referee in the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on multiple occasions. In 2019, Breeding officiated the game between Auburn and Virginia, where his crucial call in the final seconds of the game was widely praised. Breeding's successful career in the ACC and other conferences has established him as one of the top referees in college basketball.
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Conference USA
Breeding has been selected to officiate in the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on multiple occasions. In 2019, he officiated the game between Auburn and Virginia, making a crucial call in the final seconds that was backed by several experts. Breeding's call determined that Auburn's Samir Doughty fouled Virginia's Kyle Guy, which was a violation of the rules governing verticality and contact between offensive and defensive players.
Breeding was selected for his fourth Final Four in 2025, officiating the matchup between Duke and Houston. Duke took on Houston in the Midwest Region champion game, which was one of the two semifinal games that led to the national championship game.
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Atlantic 10
James Breeding is an NCAAM D-I basketball official who officiates in nine conferences, primarily in the Big East and Atlantic Coast conferences. Breeding has also officiated in the Atlantic 10 conference.
Breeding has worked 64 regular-season games in the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, and other leagues. He has been selected for the last 10 NCAAM tournaments, only missing the 2013 tournament due to injury.
Breeding's career highlights include officiating in the 2019 Final Four, where Auburn and Virginia played for their first appearance in a national championship game. Breeding made a crucial call in the final seconds of the game, ruling that Auburn guard Samir Doughty fouled Virginia's Kyle Guy. Breeding's call was backed by several officiating analysts and was deemed correct.
Breeding's successful career has also included a long association with the Louisville Bats, where he served as the chief operating officer. His performance in the 2019 Final Four demonstrated his skill and experience as an official, earning him recognition in the basketball community.
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NCAA Men's Final Four
James Breeding is a basketball referee who has officiated in nine conferences, primarily in the Big East and Atlantic Coast conferences. He has been selected for the last 10 NCAAM tournaments, only missing the 2013 tournament due to injury.
Breeding's first Final Four was in 2019, where Auburn and Virginia played for their first appearance in a national championship game. Breeding made a call that decided the outcome of the game. Auburn guard Samir Doughty fouled Virginia's Kyle Guy at the end of Guy's three-point field goal attempt from the left corner. Breeding saw contact and called it, a decision backed by several experts, including CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore and NCAA national coordinator of officiating J.D. Collins.
Breeding's career has included a long and successful stint with the Louisville Bats, where he served as the chief operating officer.
The NCAA Men's Final Four is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness. It is one of the most popular sporting events in the United States, with millions of fans filling out brackets to predict the winners of each game. The Final Four stage features the four remaining teams in the tournament, who compete in two semifinal games. The winners of these games advance to the national championship game, where a champion is crowned.
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Frequently asked questions
James Breeding officiates in nine conferences, primarily in the Big East and Atlantic Coast conferences.
James Breeding is the chief operating officer of the Louisville Bats.
James Breeding's most notable call was in 2019 when he officiated the Final Four for the first time. He called a foul on Auburn guard Samir Doughty for running into Virginia's Kyle Guy during a three-point field goal attempt.
Yes, James Breeding missed the 2013 NCAAM tournament due to an injury.
As of 2025, James Breeding has been selected as an official for the Final Four four times.







































