The 2023 NCAA Tournament has been an exciting one and Sunday’s Creighton and San Diego State game added to that excitement.
But Sunday’s game didn’t exactly end on a high note for some especially Creighton.
With only seconds to go in the contest and the game tied at 56, a late foul was called that sent the Aztecs to the free-throw line for the game-winner.
Darrion Trammell went to the free throw line for the Aztecs and sunk one of two for the game-winner. Although it might have been the right call, a lot of fans didn’t like how the game ended.
Charles Barkley, who is one of the hosts of the NCAA Tournament these past two weeks, didn’t like the call at all.
“I don’t like the call because it decided the game. That was too good of a game to be decided that way. We can go back and forth on what’s a foul. They missed them in the first half. Situational, to me, matters.”
His partner, Kenny Smith, however, didn’t have a problem with the call.
“I don’t have a problem with it.”
Charles Barkley: "I don't like the call because it decided the game. That was too good of a game to be decided that way. We can go back and forth on what's a foul. They missed them in the first half. Situational, to me, matters."
Kenny Smith: "I don't have a problem with it."
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 26, 2023
This game reminds you of the Super Bowl holding call that was made between the Chiefs and Eagles, which decided the game.
A lot of fans felt then that one call, even if it was the right call, shouldn’t decide the game. Some fans’ perspective didn’t change about how they felt after Sunday’s game either.
Refs have let Creighton and San Diego State play like a 90s NBA game. Then call a touch foul with 1 second left deciding a trip to the Final Four
— Payne (@PayneInsider) March 26, 2023
Creighton- San Diego State ending pic.twitter.com/hDbhwRr9ia
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) March 26, 2023
OH MAN.
OH.
This is how San Diego State gets to its first Final Four?
THIS is how Creighton goes home???
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 26, 2023
If that foul was a foul for the full game, Creighton scores 75 and wins fairly comfortably. Refs essentially called the game the way SDSU wanted it, then switched only when it would benefit SDSU.
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) March 26, 2023
Some fans are on Kenny Smith’s side in this argument.
https://twitter.com/NufocusfromBham/status/1640088812159225856
If you decide a foul isn't a foul because the game is tied with a couple of seconds left, then you are giving the defensive team an unfair advantage. Refs don't "decide" a game by calling a foul. The player decides it by fouling. Not the way anyone wanted that game to end.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 26, 2023
Opinions vary but one thing is certain, it doesn’t change the outcome of the game.
