Everyone Is Accusing The Refs Of Favoring Iowa Tonight

Iowa survived a second-round scare Monday night. The Hawkeyes won a 64-54 contest over West Virginia that was far closer than the final score indicates.

The game was tied with nearly two minutes remaining before Iowa closed on a 12-2 run. Viewers think officiating fueled the late surge.

West Virginia got called for six fouls during that final run. Officials whistled the Mountaineers for 27 fouls all game, compared to 11 for the Hawkeyes inside their home arena.

Some observers cried conspiracy theory with claims of the referees making sure Caitlin Clark advanced to the Sweet 16.

"This is absurd. Absolutely infuriating," USA Today's Dan Wolken wrote. "I feel for the West Virginia team. They’ve played a better game than Iowa and they're not going to get rewarded at all. Hope these refs don't advance.

"These no-calls on Iowa are insane," a fan declared. "West Virginia has been getting no help from the refs. They probably should've won."

"Refs making sure Caitlin Clark and Iowa don’t get upset," a fan said. "Laughably obvious. West Virginia deserves this win."

"Unfortunate for West Virginia that they had to beat Iowa and the refs tonight," a fan wrote.

While Iowa scored 25 points from the foul line, West Virginia only attempted five free throws. Yet such a discrepancy doesn't always point to poor officiating.

West Virginia played physical defense, especially on Clark. Their tenacious style limited Iowa to its lowest point tally since a 65-58 loss to Kansas State in November, but it also drew more whistles.

ESPN executives might have been crossing their fingers for a Hawkeyes victory, and studies have suggested an unconscious officiating bias in favor of the home team. But some bad breaks for West Virginia are a far cry from fixing a game so the more popular team stays in the NCAA tournament.

Iowa will face Colorado in the Sweet 16 on Saturday.