Tuesday’s matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies featured a controversial ejection towards the end of the game that fans had plenty to say about on social media.
Arkansas had a ten-point lead with 4:50 to go in the second half when senior guard Davonte Davis went up for a layup attempt over a Texas A&M defender.
The only problem is that he extended his right foot while going up for the layup, with landed right in the groin region of Texas A&M forward Andersson Garcia.
This made it an offensive foul on Davis, but that was only the start of where things got bad for Arkansas. The play was reviewed and ruled a flagrant 2 foul, which meant that Davis was ejected from the game.
Arkansas guard Davonte Davis was issued a flagrant 2 foul on this shot attempt. You be the judge, was it the right call? pic.twitter.com/kj1kD4vjpb
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 17, 2024
Calling this an offensive foul is reasonable given the push-off from Davis with his foot. However, many fans wholeheartedly disagreed with the decision to give Davis a flagrant 2 foul for this play.
Questionable Flagrant 2, Devo tossed. Shooter misses both free throws. Ball don't lie?
— Otis Kirk (@OtisKirk23) January 17, 2024
I don’t think that’s a flagrant 2. To me there’s no way he intentionally went up to kick that dude in the nads.
— Brice (@dBriceJ) January 17, 2024
Do you really think he went into the air aiming to kick dude below the belt? The contact could be flagrant 1 but because of where he kicked him it’s 2?! A kick is a kick!?
— Monty Patel (@MontyPatel) January 17, 2024
Surprised and disappointed they elevated that to a Flagrant 2. No extension of the leg by Devo. At all. BS call but it’s SEC officials so par for the course tbh
— Chris Kane (@ChrisKane007) January 17, 2024
A flagrant 2???
That is absurd. I get a flagrant 1 but a 2? Come on now
Refshow at its finest
— TorresOnArkansas (@TorresOnTheHogs) January 17, 2024
You will never convince me that was a flagrant 2 foul. The refs in this Arkansas game are a joke.
— Kayla (@kayry02) January 17, 2024
For this to be called a flagrant 2, referees would be assuming that Davis intentionally meant to kick Andersson Garcia in the groin here.
When you look at the replay, it sure seemed like Davis was instead attempting to make a basketball move in going up for the layup, and intentionally hit Garcia where he did on the shot attempt.
Regardless, Davis was ejected and Arkansas began to quickly lose their ten-point lead from that point until the end of the game.
Luckily for Arkansas fans, they were able to hang on in dramatic fashion. Arkansas guard Tramon Mark was able to score a game-winning floater to give the Razorbacks a 78-77 victory.
TRAMON MARK FINISHES IT pic.twitter.com/GMqqWZu2oS
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) January 17, 2024
If Davis hadn’t been ejected, Arkansas may not have been in the position to need a game-winner to win the game. Regardless, Tramon Mark was able to save the day for Arkansas fans. So they likely won’t be too hung up on the very questionable ejection of Davis.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.