I don't know how soft they are if you mean mentally, but they are not as physically mature as older players. No secret in that...you don't get to Purdue's status with soft guards. They don't have the same physical stamina and strength as more mature physical players and with that less mature body there is a lot more tape on them than early in the season.
Coaches talk and try not to give excuses to team based upon officials, but the fact is official do in fact affect play. Skill teams "generally play better" with quicker whistles, freedom of movement, no hand checking or straight arm when dribbling etc.. Athletic teams want officials to swallow the whistle and let the more physical or athletic team play more physical. That is just the nature of the game.
When two teams play officials have a say in whether it is a play on or not. Oficials may see inside play much different than the perimeter...and that difference may grow or shrink depending on the rotation of the three refs and who is out and who is in for whatever end of the court they are on at the time.
