Kansas defeated Samford in the final NCAA Tournament game of Thursday’s slate. It was probably the best game of the day — and also likely the day’s most controversial game.
Nursing a one-point lead with 19.9 seconds to play, the Jayhawks were inbounding the ball underneath their own basket. Kansas’ Nick Timberlake got free and appeared to be going in for an uncontested dunk. Samford’s A.J. Staton-McCray, however, chased Timberlake down, leapt and made what appeared to be a tremendous defensive play, blocking the shot.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs and their fans, Staton-McCray was whistled for a foul.
Samford's A.J. Staton-McCray gets a clean block on Kansas' Nick Timberlake — but is whistled for a foul.
Timberlake went on to make both free throws. Kansas gets a huge break. pic.twitter.com/Me5i8SzgP8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 22, 2024
Analyst Brendan Haywood immediately yelled that it was a block. Replays confirmed Haywood’s opinion and both play-by-play man Brad Nessler and rules analyst Gene Steratore both agreed. But no dice. Fouls are not reviewable. Timberlake made both of his free throws. Jermaine Marshall missed a three-pointer on Samford’s ensuing possession. Kansas’ Johnny Furphy then split two free throws to put the Jayhawks up 93-89 — which stood as the final score.
The play was discussed on the postgame show. Charles Barkley said, “The thing that bothers me about the play is, we review everything.”
“We sat here and watched them review like seven calls — but they couldn’t review that one,” Kenny Smith said.
Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley discuss the controversial foul on Samford, as well as the review system. pic.twitter.com/pICvSfkW5V
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 22, 2024
Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley were not the only ones talking about the foul call. Far from it.
College basketball fans were mad that a call like that had such a dramatic influence on what was a great game.
Brendan Haywood saw it live more accurately from 40 feet away than the refs did. Sad.
— Anthony Edwards (@edwardsanthonyb) March 22, 2024
Should have been Samford ball down 1 with 14 seconds left. Brutal call. https://t.co/n0hijYC2is
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) March 22, 2024
Classic example of referee assuming there is a foul, blowing whistle no matter what. https://t.co/9yrnWnxV9k
— Mr. SOUNDOFF (@johnsears) March 22, 2024
It’s wild, this wasn’t even close in real time. Brendan Haywood called it correctly with a much worse view than the ref. The ref reacted to Timberlake’s lack of body control instead of if there actually was a foul. And with the perfect POV! https://t.co/Am5uGC8Unk
— Philip Sanford (@thephilsanford) March 22, 2024
You can apparently review every single thing less than two minutes to go except for a call that actually matters.
At least they’re able to spend five minutes to determine whether or not to add .1 of a second to the clock. https://t.co/Lqh08NsnIT
— Phillip Bupp (@phillipbupp) March 22, 2024
It was all ball, but the foul call against Samford was actually correct. Here's what the rulebook says: pic.twitter.com/WmjseM8IM9
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 22, 2024
Would have been nice to see this play out from here with Samford gaining possession with 15 seconds left, down one. https://t.co/EwEzd95vE0
— Jay Posner (@JayPosnerSD) March 22, 2024
[Photo Credit: TBS]
