It's not an initiative by the refs. They're doing what they've been told to do by the governing body. Players and coaches need to adapt.
It's bad now, but if the players adjust it will be better in the long run. Basketball was getting tired when the good teams were being built around 7', 275 pound freaks of nature. That's been resolved for the most part. Now the rules are being changed to reduce the excessive banging in the paint... can't put two hands on the player being guarded, can't arm bar. To counter, defenders can be in the semi-circle under basket circle as long as they go straight up. They also cracked down on palming the basketball while dribbling.
TN has benefited by having sound free throw shooters. Seems like some of Pearl's TN teams were awful at the stripe.
I like basketball best when the players are fundamentally sound. It's frustrating to watch when they aren't.