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San Diego State in the Final Four: Fans, media react to controversial ending
Published:
San Diego State will advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history following its 57-56 win over Creighton in the Elite 8.
But while the Aztecs might be dancing their way to Houston, fans were in uproar after a controversial call in the closing seconds.
With 1.2 seconds remaining, the game remained tied at 56 apiece. SDSU’s Darion Trammell tried to deliver a floater before the buzzer, but Creigton’s Ryan Nembhard tipped the ball for it to land short. That was the initial thought, but after further review, it was determined by officials that Nembhard’s hand was on Trammel’s hip long enough to lead to a foul.
Here’s the crucial play:
The Foul call. A touch on the back and Darion Trammel is going to the line with 1.2 seconds left. (5) San Diego State looks to take the lead for a Final 4 Trip pic.twitter.com/422N0ArwdN
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 26, 2023
Trammell missed the 1st free throw, but made the 2nd to give SDSU the lead and the victory.
In reality, the play could have gone either way, but given the ramifications of the outcome, fans took to Twitter to express their frustration with the officiating, along with heartbreak for the Bluejays.
Here’s the best of that reaction:
Ref show
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) March 26, 2023
You can’t call that man…
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) March 26, 2023
I hear everyone… but like I said. You don’t call that. So lame…
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) March 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/VerneFUNquist/status/1640089493066641408
u can’t call that foul man .. ??♂️
— AB (@AnthonyBlack24_) March 26, 2023
While some were in arms based on the outcome, others defended the call, stating that the rules can’t be changed due to the ramifications of what’s at stake.
Hand on the hip of the shooter. Affected the shot. Gutsy call. But the right call. https://t.co/cNWAXkVkNr
— BFriedACC (@BFriedACC) March 26, 2023
You gotta call that. If you don't call that, then you've already decided the game. A foul is a foul. Doesn't matter how much time is left. https://t.co/oj3VvpeIsn
— Charles Chaney (@ChuckChaneyBCTG) March 26, 2023
That is indeed a foul
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 26, 2023
No such thing as “in that situation”. Rules don’t change in the last possession.
— Jacob Albracht (@KWCHJacob) March 26, 2023
I’m not saying I would have called it in that moment but the defender got beat and used his left arm to unbalance the shooter. It’s a legit call. https://t.co/UoUBh2DUxa
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 26, 2023
Great call by the official. I hate it when defenders get free reign to hack away late. It’s a foul and the right call.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) March 26, 2023
Wow. That’s a clutch officiating call. We give ‘em hell when they miss. Gotta give credit to that one.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) March 26, 2023
Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Football who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.
