AP source: Ref target of death threats after Kentucky loss

North-Carolina-head-coach-Roy-Williams-speaks-to-John-Higgins-in-the-first-half-of-the-South-Regional-final-game-in-the-NCAA-college-basketball-tournament-against-Kentucky,-Sunday,-March-26,-2017,-in-Memphis,-Tenn.-(Mark-Humphrey/AP)

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams speaks to John Higgins in the first half of the South Regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament against Kentucky, Sunday, March 26, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

OMAHA, Neb. — A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Higgins reported threats on his home phone, which has an unlisted number, and on the office phone for his roofing company. The person requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The Facebook page for Higgins’ roofing company also was inundated with negative comments about Higgins and the quality of his company’s work.

In a statement Wednesday, the Kentucky athletic department says it encourages fans to demonstrate good sportsmanship and discourages other kind of behaviour.

Messages were left for Omaha police and Kentucky State Police.

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