RefMetrics
NCAA Men's Referee Profiles
Explore career summaries, game counts, and officiating tendencies.
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MP
Michael Palau
First Season: 2015-16
Last Season: 2025-26
Total Games: 482
Crew Chief: 22 (5%)
U1: 140 (29%)
U2: 320 (66%)
Home Wins: 63%
Home Fouls: 15.8
Away Fouls: 16.8
Foul Diff: 1.0
Attendance: 3,532
| Games | Total | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020-21 | 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2017-18 | 2016-17 | 2015-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 482 | 63 | 62 | 64 | 75 | 66 | 34 | 61 | 37 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Crew Chief | 22 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| U1 | 140 | 25 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 19 | 10 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| U2 | 320 | 30 | 41 | 40 | 59 | 46 | 23 | 40 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| NCAA Tournament | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NIT Tournament | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pre/Mid-Season Tournament | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Big East | 90 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MAAC | 83 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 19 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NEC | 78 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| A-10 | 62 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Am. East | 59 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CAA | 55 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Patriot | 19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ivy | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ACC | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SEC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WCC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Big 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ASUN | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Big 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Southern | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Horizon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SWAC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Date | Crew Chief | U1 | U2 | Home | Away | Score | Fouls | Fee | Season $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-3-20 | Bert Smith | Rob Rorke | Michael Palau | Alabama | Hofstra | 90 - 70 | 13 - 14 | $3,900 | $177,300 |
| 2026-3-14 | Brandon Cruz | Ed Corbett | Michael Palau | Harvard | Pennsylvania | 60 - 62 | 13 - 9 | $2,500 | $173,400 |
| 2026-3-13 | Justin Porterfield | Michael Palau | Ed Corliss | Saint Joseph's | Davidson | 70 - 58 | 10 - 18 | $2,900 | $170,900 |
| 2026-3-6 | Michael Palau | Tim Smith | Michael Nardone | Merrimack | Sacred Heart | 70 - 48 | 12 - 10 | $2,400 | $168,000 |
| 2026-3-5 | Michael Palau | Michael Nardone | Andre Roberson | Navy | Bucknell | 74 - 69 | 8 - 16 | $2,250 | $165,600 |
| 2026-3-4 | Tim Kelly | Trey Styons | Michael Palau | La Salle | Fordham | 87 - 84 | 13 - 18 | $2,900 | $163,350 |
| 2026-3-3 | Michael Luckie | Nathan Hall | Michael Palau | Stony Brook | Towson | 57 - 69 | 12 - 8 | $2,600 | $160,450 |
| 2026-3-1 | John Cahill | Carl Luciano | Michael Palau | Canisius | Quinnipiac | 63 - 67 | 18 - 16 | $2,400 | $157,850 |
| 2026-2-28 | Mike Roberts | Matt Potter | Michael Palau | UConn | Seton Hall | 71 - 67 | 10 - 22 | $3,600 | $155,450 |
| 2026-2-25 | Mike Roberts | Nathan Farrell | Michael Palau | Creighton | DePaul | 71 - 72 | 10 - 14 | $3,600 | $151,850 |
| 2026-2-21 | James Breeding | Michael Palau | Ed Corliss | Seton Hall | Georgetown | 51 - 47 | 16 - 21 | $3,600 | $148,250 |
| 2026-2-20 | Michael Palau | Tim Smith | Vasili Mallios | Fairfield | Sacred Heart | 78 - 68 | 10 - 14 | $2,400 | $144,650 |
| 2026-2-19 | Brandon Cruz | Mikerlange Fleury | Michael Palau | Central Connecticut | Le Moyne | 78 - 77 | 12 - 10 | $2,000 | $142,250 |
| 2026-2-18 | Mike Roberts | Michael Palau | None | Marquette | St. John's | 70 - 76 | 19 - 19 | $3,600 | $140,250 |
| 2026-2-16 | Michael Luckie | Michael Palau | Michael Nardone | Stony Brook | Drexel | 72 - 69 | 11 - 14 | $2,600 | $136,650 |
| 2026-2-15 | Bill Covington | Michael Palau | Randall Wells | Canisius | Manhattan | 65 - 69 | 23 - 14 | $2,400 | $134,050 |
| 2026-2-14 | Bill Covington | Trey Styons | Michael Palau | Notre Dame | Georgia Tech | 89 - 74 | 14 - 18 | $3,800 | $131,650 |
| 2026-2-12 | Ed Corbett | Michael Palau | Greg Moyer | UMass Lowell | Bryant | 88 - 69 | 14 - 14 | $2,200 | $127,850 |
| 2026-2-11 | Michael Palau | Edward Corbett | Steven Perry Jr. | Lehigh | American University | 90 - 82 | 16 - 21 | $2,250 | $125,650 |
| 2026-2-7 | Jeff Clark | Matt Potter | Michael Palau | Creighton | Seton Hall | 69 - 68 | 12 - 16 | $3,600 | $123,400 |
| 2026-2-4 | Steven Perry | Michael Palau | Michael Nardone | Lafayette | Navy | 50 - 65 | 13 - 10 | $2,250 | $119,800 |
| 2026-1-31 | Nathan Hall | Michael Palau | Tim Smith | Seton Hall | Marquette | 69 - 64 | 12 - 11 | $3,600 | $117,550 |
| 2026-1-30 | Mike Roberts | Tony Henderson | Michael Palau | Villanova | Providence | 87 - 73 | 14 - 19 | $3,600 | $113,950 |
| 2026-1-26 | Brandon Cruz | Michael Palau | Nick Terry | Fairleigh Dickinson | Le Moyne | 74 - 87 | 19 - 23 | $2,000 | $110,350 |
| 2026-1-24 | Tony Chiazza | Matt Potter | Michael Palau | Xavier | St. John's | 83 - 88 | 21 - 17 | $3,600 | $108,350 |
| 2026-1-22 | Brandon Cruz | Michael Palau | Daniel Basile | Maine | UAlbany | 52 - 49 | 11 - 19 | $2,200 | $104,750 |
| 2026-1-16 | Paul Szelc | Greg Evans | Michael Palau | DePaul | Marquette | 80 - 75 | 18 - 16 | $3,600 | $102,550 |
| 2026-1-15 | Michael Luckie | Nathan Hall | Michael Palau | Monmouth | Drexel | 51 - 73 | 16 - 17 | $2,600 | $98,950 |
| 2026-1-14 | Ron Groover | Roger Ayers | Michael Palau | Xavier | Butler | 89 - 75 | 17 - 12 | $3,600 | $96,350 |
| 2026-1-11 | Adam Vandenburgh | Mikerlange Fleury | Michael Palau | Sacred Heart | Quinnipiac | 60 - 70 | 13 - 14 | $2,400 | $92,750 |
| 2026-1-10 | James Breeding | Tony Chiazza | Michael Palau | Creighton | St. John's | 73 - 90 | 18 - 20 | $3,600 | $90,350 |
| 2026-1-8 | Michael Palau | Ryan Corbett | Tom Deneen | NJIT | New Hampshire | 80 - 76 | 23 - 19 | $2,200 | $86,750 |
| 2026-1-7 | Jeff Clark | Lee Cassell | Michael Palau | VCU | Saint Louis | 62 - 71 | 16 - 21 | $2,900 | $84,550 |
| 2026-1-6 | Brian O'Connell | Matt Potter | Michael Palau | DePaul | Georgetown | 56 - 50 | 19 - 17 | $3,600 | $81,650 |
| 2026-1-5 | Mike Roberts | Michael Palau | Daniel Basile | Princeton | Pennsylvania | 78 - 76 | 16 - 19 | $2,500 | $78,050 |
| 2026-1-4 | Mike Roberts | Jim Clark | Michael Palau | Rider | Siena | 65 - 74 | 15 - 13 | $2,400 | $75,550 |
| 2026-1-3 | Isaac Barnett | Michael Palau | Leslie Jones | George Mason | Rhode Island | 61 - 50 | 14 - 20 | $2,900 | $73,150 |
| 2025-12-31 | Earl Walton | Greg Evans | Michael Palau | Richmond | George Washington | 85 - 99 | 18 - 21 | $2,900 | $70,250 |
| 2025-12-29 | Nathan Hall | Isaac Barnett | Michael Palau | Charleston | Drexel | 72 - 63 | 17 - 18 | $2,600 | $67,350 |
| 2025-12-23 | Michael Palau | Mike Evans | Miguel Rodriguez | Army | Binghamton | 95 - 85 | 19 - 27 | $2,250 | $64,750 |
| 2025-12-22 | Matt Potter | Michael Palau | Adam Flore | Fordham | New Haven | 65 - 47 | 7 - 13 | $2,900 | $62,500 |
| 2025-12-21 | Pat Driscoll | Michael Palau | Tim Smith | Hofstra | Quinnipiac | 74 - 66 | 15 - 19 | $2,600 | $59,600 |
| 2025-12-14 | Mikerlange Fleury | Michael Palau | Mike Evans | Fairfield | Monmouth | 73 - 65 | 12 - 12 | $2,400 | $57,000 |
| 2025-12-13 | Jeff Pon | Michael Palau | Nick Terry | Dayton | North Florida | 84 - 61 | 15 - 18 | $2,900 | $54,600 |
| 2025-12-10 | Phil Sallustio Jr. | Michael Palau | Mike Evans | Hofstra | Old Westbury | 92 - 23 | 11 - 13 | $2,600 | $51,700 |
| 2025-12-9 | Mikerlange Fleury | Michael Palau | Daniel Basile | Stony Brook | Columbia | 77 - 73 | 15 - 17 | $2,600 | $49,100 |
| 2025-12-6 | Nathan Farrell | Nathan Hall | Michael Palau | Villanova | Pennsylvania | 90 - 63 | 14 - 15 | $3,600 | $46,500 |
| 2025-12-5 | Nathan Hall | Michael Palau | Mike Evans | Saint Peter's | Canisius | 69 - 57 | 25 - 21 | $2,400 | $42,900 |
| 2025-12-2 | Ryan Sassano | Michael Palau | Ed Corliss | Duquesne | William & Mary | 79 - 83 | 18 - 19 | $2,900 | $40,500 |
| 2025-11-30 | John Cahill | Michael Palau | Greg Moyer | Fairfield | New Hampshire | 72 - 68 | 18 - 17 | $2,400 | $37,600 |
Showing 1-50 of 482 games
Tournament Games
| Tournament | Times Worked | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA First Round | 4 | 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 |
| NCAA First Four | 1 | 2021-22 |
| NIT | 2 | 2023-24 |
| AIR FORCE RESERVE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME TIP-OFF | 1 | 2018-19 |
| America East Playoffs - Quarterfinal | 1 | 2021-22 |
| Asheville Championship | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Atlantic 10 Championship - 1st Round | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Atlantic 10 Championship - 2nd Round | 2 | 2022-23, 2024-25 |
| Atlantic 10 Championship - Quarterfinal | 4 | 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 |
| BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS - MAINLAND | 1 | 2019-20 |
| BIMINI JAM - CAMPUS GAME | 1 | 2018-19 |
| Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase | 1 | 2024-25 |
| Battle at the Boardwalk | 2 | 2018-19 |
| Big 5 Classic | 1 | 2023-24 |
| Big 5 Classic - Championship | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Big East | 2 | 2023-24, 2024-25 |
| CIT - 1st ROUND | 1 | 2018-19 |
| Cathedral Classic | 1 | 2025-26 |
| College Hill Classic | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Cornhusker Classic | 1 | 2023-24 |
| D.C. Holiday Hoops Fest | 3 | 2019-20 |
| GARDEN STATE SHOWCASE | 1 | 2019-20 |
| HERCULES TIRES AMERICA EAST PLAYOFFS - QUARTERFINAL | 1 | 2019-20 |
| HERCULES TIRES MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP - QUARTERFINAL | 1 | 2019-20 |
| Icons of the Game | 1 | 2024-25 |
| Ivy League | 2 | 2024-25, 2025-26 |
| Jamaica Classic | 2 | 2022-23 |
| Lafayette | 1 | 2024-25 |
| MAAC Championship - Quarterfinal | 2 | 2021-22, 2025-26 |
| MAAC Championship - Semifinal | 1 | 2021-22 |
| MAAC/ASUN Challenge | 2 | 2021-22 |
| Market Street Challenge | 1 | 2023-24 |
| NABC Brooklyn Showcase | 1 | 2023-24 |
| NORTHEAST CONFERENCE MEN'S TOURNAMENT - SEMIFINAL | 1 | 2017-18 |
| NORTHEAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT - FINAL | 1 | 2019-20 |
| Northeast Conference | 2 | 2020-21, 2023-24 |
| Nutrafol Gotham Classic | 1 | 2024-25 |
| PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT - QUARTERFINAL | 1 | 2019-20 |
| Patriot League | 2 | 2020-21 |
| Patriot League Championship - Quarterfinal | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Phil Knight Invitational | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Phil Knight Legacy | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Southwest Maui Invitational | 2 | 2025-26 |
| Southwest Maui Invitational - 3rd Place Game | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Sunshine Slam - Regional Round Campus Game | 1 | 2021-22 |
| UKG Legends Classic | 1 | 2024-25 |
| UKG Legends Classic - Third Place Game | 1 | 2024-25 |
| Veterans Classic | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Villanova Challenge | 1 | 2025-26 |
| Vivid Seats Empire Classic | 1 | 2022-23 |
Michael Palau Game Pace by Season
Total games worked across seasons, relative to each season's opening day
Estimated Salary Information
Salary estimates based on conference rates, tier level, and season adjustments. Rates vary by conference and year.
Career Summary
Current Tier: Tier 1
Career Total: $1,079,381
Total Games: 482
Avg per Game: $2,239
Highest Season: $201,280 (2022-23)
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Tier | Games | CC Games | U1/U2 Games | Total Earned | Avg per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Tier 1 | 63 | 8 | 55 | $177,300 | $2,814 |
| 2024-25 | Tier 1 | 62 | 2 | 60 | $177,800 | $2,868 |
| 2023-24 | Tier 1 | 64 | 4 | 60 | $178,697 | $2,792 |
| 2022-23 | Tier 1 | 75 | 2 | 73 | $201,280 | $2,684 |
| 2021-22 | Tier 2 | 66 | 1 | 65 | $124,939 | $1,893 |
| 2020-21 | Tier 2 | 34 | 1 | 33 | $56,452 | $1,660 |
| 2019-20 | Tier 2 | 61 | 2 | 59 | $99,668 | $1,634 |
| 2018-19 | Tier 3 | 37 | 2 | 35 | $43,173 | $1,167 |
| 2017-18 | Tier 3 | 8 | 0 | 8 | $8,216 | $1,027 |
| 2016-17 | Tier 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | $6,006 | $1,001 |
| 2015-16 | Tier 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | $5,850 | $975 |
Michael Palau Salary Pace by Season
Estimated cumulative salary earned across seasons, relative to each season's opening day