Memphis saw its NCAA Tournament come to an end on Friday with a loss to Florida Atlantic. It was a close loss for the Tigers, which is bad enough. Making matters worse, Memphis was on the wrong end of a missed call that led to the loss.
Trailing by one, the Owls forced a turnover but couldn’t quite take advantage of it. Florida Atlantic lost his balance, leading to a loose ball. In the pileup, players from both teams got their hands on the ball, leading to a jump ball. The possession arrow went to the Owls.
Florida Atlantic took full advantage of the second chance. Nicholas Boyd received the inbounds pass from Davis, drove to the hoop and made a go-ahead layup. Memphis’ desperation three didn’t get off in time (Davis blocked it anyway) and the Owls came away with the victory.
FAU GETS ITS FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT WIN IN PROGRAM HISTORY! 🏀🧅#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ETOaLk6ns8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 18, 2023
#FAU downs #Memphis in the final seconds. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/bh8yvS1Vww
— Michael Grant (@MichaelGrant_CJ) March 18, 2023
On the surface, it doesn’t seem too controversial. But there was one massive problem.
When the ball was loose, Memphis got to it first. And not one, but two Tigers on the floor were calling for a time-out.
WHAT A WILD SEQUENCE 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/3o5jHgFqtN
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
That should have given Memphis possession. The officials, though, missed it.
As such, at the end of the game, several college basketball fans took to Twitter to talk not about the thrilling finish, but the poor officiating.
Congrats to FAU – great team and coach – but Memphis got completely screwed on the final possession arrow decision.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) March 18, 2023
1. Memphis called TO 2. FAU never grabbed the ball
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) March 18, 2023
Memphis apparently needed more than 2 people calling for a timeout here #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/wswBXXQiWE
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) March 18, 2023
Penny’s got too much money to not go into the presser and say what everybody just saw out loud
It’s not even about Memphis at this point. That crew should not be allowed to officiate another game in the tournament
— Will (@ballknowerwill) March 18, 2023
10 memphis players literally called a timeout in the refs place i wanna throw up
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) March 18, 2023
I had FAU advancing so I’m happy for my bracket and what a clutch shot but man… that is a BRUTAL non call for the time-out for Memphis.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) March 18, 2023
Don’t ever want to hear refs don’t have an impact on a game.
The officiating in college basketball is at an all- time low. Memphis deserved better.
— Connor Dunning (@CDunningRC) March 18, 2023
The more I watch, the worse I feel, recognizing how badly Memphis got hosed. Wild. I hate, absolutely hate, doing the ref thing. This is egregious. https://t.co/e0oV8Wc87t
— Brad Carson (@BradCarson) March 18, 2023
