Basketball fans are up in arms after a controversial call in the Sweet 16 game between Duke and Arizona. The drama unfolded when Duke center Patrick Ngongba II was called for a common foul after hooking and pulling down Arizona’s Henri Veesaar. Fans were quick to point out the inconsistency, as a similar play earlier in the game resulted in a flagrant foul being called on Arizona’s Jaden Bradley ¹.
The internet is filled with outraged fans, with many taking to social media to express their frustration. “Officiating in the Duke vs Arizona game is such a joke,” one fan wrote. “Arizona and Duke do the same exact thing to a tee 30 seconds apart, but Duke gets a common foul and Arizona gets a flagrant” ². Others echoed similar sentiments, with some even going so far as to accuse the refs of “rigging” the game in Duke’s favor ¹ ² ³.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that the calls were inconsistent and unfair, while others claim that the refs made the correct calls. However, one thing is clear: the perception of bias in favor of Duke has left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.
This isn’t the first time Duke has been at the center of a controversy surrounding officiating. In their previous game against Baylor, fans accused the refs of giving Duke favorable treatment, with one fan noting that Duke took 19 free throws in the first half, compared to just two for Baylor ³.
As the NCAA Tournament continues, one can’t help but wonder if the perception of bias will continue to be a topic of discussion. Will the refs be able to shake off the criticism and call the games fairly, or will the controversy continue to swirl? Only time will tell.
