College Hoops World Reacts To ACC Referee Announcement
DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 16: A referee holds the ball in the second half of the game between the Bryant University Bulldogs and the Wright State Raiders during the First Four game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 16, 2022 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Whether you like Duke basketball or not, it's hard to deny that they were on the receiving end of some exceptionally poor officiating at the end of regulation in their game against Virginia yesterday. And it appears the ACC knows it too.
In the aftermath of yesterday's 69-62 Virginia win, the ACC released a statement addressing the controversial "block" that did not result in a pair of potentially game-winning free throws for the Blue Devils. Citing Rule 5, Section 7 of the officiating rules, Duke should have been granted two free throws since a foul was determined to have been given even after time had technically expired.
Instead, the referees did not grant Duke the foul and regulation ended at 58-58. In overtime, the Cavaliers outscored the Blue Devils 11-4 to win the game 69-62.
As you might imagine, Duke fans are beside themselves with the announcement from the ACC. Many are saying that it's outrageous for the referees to be able to impact games like that with no consequences and only the school gets negatively affected.
At this stage in the season, every win is critical for the Duke Blue Devils. If they wind up narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament, many will look back on this game as the one that enrages them more than any other loss this season.
It would be nice if the NCAA and ACC had some way to mitigate instances of referees clearly messing up to the point that it costs a team the game.
What can be done?
