NCAA Could Ban Referee After Fans Felt Refs Made Game-Changing Call on Cooper Flagg in Duke Loss
The NCAA is reportedly considering disciplinary action against a referee involved in a controversial call during Duke’s shocking loss to Houston in the NCAA Tournament, a decision that has sparked significant backlash from fans and analysts alike. The pivotal moment occurred late in the game, when a questionable foul was called on Duke’s highly-touted freshman, Cooper Flagg, leading many to believe that the call swung the momentum in Houston’s favor.
With just under two minutes remaining in a tense and tightly contested matchup, Duke was clinging to a slim lead, and Flagg was playing a key role in the team’s defense. However, when Flagg contested a shot by Houston’s Marcus Sasser, the referee whistled him for a controversial personal foul. Sasser subsequently went to the free-throw line, converting both attempts, which cut Duke’s lead to a single point. The Cougars would go on to score several more crucial points in the final moments, ultimately securing a 73-67 victory.
The call instantly ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans, players, and analysts arguing that Flagg’s defense was clean and that the foul was a game-altering mistake. Many felt that the officials’ decision handed Houston an unfair advantage at a critical juncture of the game, while Duke’s momentum was completely derailed.
“That was a terrible call,” tweeted one fan. “Cooper Flagg was straight up, didn’t touch him, and yet the refs gift Houston two free throws when it’s a one-point game. Unreal.”
Flagg himself appeared visibly frustrated after the call, gesturing toward the referee in disbelief. The freshman, known for his exceptional defensive skills, was unable to contain his emotions as the atmosphere in the arena became electric with tension. Despite his best efforts to maintain composure, the call seemed to rattle not only Flagg but the entire Duke team, whose energy visibly deflated following the decision.
The incident has raised questions about the consistency and accuracy of officiating in high-stakes tournament games. Many fans point out that similar plays throughout the tournament had not resulted in fouls, leading to accusations of inconsistency and a lack of clarity in officiating standards.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was diplomatic in his post-game comments but didn’t shy away from discussing the controversial call. “I don’t want to place blame on one single play, but I will say that it’s tough when the game is decided by a moment like that,” Scheyer said. “We have to focus on what we can control, but there’s no denying that play was a turning point.”
Following the backlash, the NCAA has opened an internal review into the officiating crew’s performance during the game. While it remains to be seen whether the referee will face a suspension or ban, the incident has already sparked widespread debate about the importance of ensuring fair and consistent officiating, especially in critical moments of high-profile games like the NCAA Tournament.
In response to the controversy, the NCAA issued a statement saying that it takes officiating errors seriously and is working to improve the accuracy and consistency of calls throughout its tournaments. “We are committed to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring that every team has an equal opportunity to compete,” the statement read.
As Duke fans continue to voice their frustration over the outcome, the debate about the call on Cooper Flagg will likely continue to loom large over the tournament’s final stages, with many wondering how different the result could have been if that pivotal foul had not been called.
