“No game should be decided like that. Period.”
To preface this, Auburn basketball had plenty of opportunity to take the game in their own hands and they didn’t. Whenever you leave the fate of the game in the hands of the officials you lose, and that’s exactly what happened to Auburn Saturday night in their controversial Final Four loss to the Virginia Cavaliers.
That doesn’t make the loss sting any less, well, it makes it worse actually.
I stood in the stands of U.S. Bank Stadium with my hands over my head assuming the ‘Surrender Cobra’ position. If you ask anyone in attendance at the stadium what the vibe was like in that second they would tell you the following moments were full of utter chaos and confusion.
While attempting to maintain possession of the ball Virginia’s Ty Jerome double dribbled. Fans and spectators throughout the stadium immediately saw it and erupted. When the turnover was not called and possession remained on Virginia’s side, Auburn’s Samir Doughty fouled Kyle Guy giving Virginia the go-ahead to sink three free throws for the win.
And they did.
See, I like many thought Auburn had won. It was an inexplicable chain of events that displayed what can only be summarized as critical human error in an extremely high stakes moment.
For a team that has fought as hard the last few years as Auburn had, my heart could only sink to my stomach as I watched Virginia celebrate. The stadium remained unjust with echoes of boos from all sides following the officials.
“No game should be decided like that,” was the sentiment I received from Texas Tech, Michigan State, and fellow Auburn fans. Not only was three-fourths of U.S. Bank Stadium up in arms, but the term “double dribble” went viral on Twitter with thousands taking to social media to air their grievances.
The @nypost gets it right. pic.twitter.com/K9ppGd8mLw
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) April 7, 2019
yeah, that double dribble was egregious.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) April 7, 2019
So the right call on the foul, but never should’ve come to that as CBS just plainly explains the missed double dribble on Virginia right before it. Just a nightmarish ending to a national semifinal. Officiating strikes again.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 7, 2019
Ok ya, that’s a double dribble. My final conclusion: Auburn was robbed. pic.twitter.com/3ydlcEaj1M
— Mason Prince (@MasonPrinceTV) April 7, 2019
Foul on Auburn? Maybe.
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) April 7, 2019
Double dribble on Virginia? Absolutely.
Congratulations, @NCAA. This #FinalFour is forever tainted*******
This is the most blatantly obvious double dribble in the history of the final four, maybe in college basketball. This was more of a double dribble than it was a foul on that three point shot. I would be furious if I was a Auburn fan. Wow... #marchmadness #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/G0lfB2hHIq
— JayhawkFocus (@JayhawkFocus) April 7, 2019
"They blew the call. ... 'This cost the Saints a chance to go to the Super Bowl.' This cost Auburn an opportunity to go the title game. It ruined a historic comeback by Auburn. That's unacceptable." — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/YpVZY4VNU9
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 8, 2019
Disappointed that the @ncaa will not come out with a comment on the late game double dribble. Everyone must be accountable. Can’t change the call but you must own it.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) April 7, 2019
I certainly credit Guy for making 3 FT, but he never should have been on line. Obvious double-dribble was missed. What a gut-wrenching way to lose for Auburn.
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 7, 2019
So much BS there. Same thing as #Vols #Purdue. So much BS.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) April 7, 2019
Gut wrenching loss. @AuburnMBB had an incredible year and there’s nothing you can hang your head for. Some things you just can’t control. Try to remember the good things SEC Tourney Champions, First final four since 1984, and doing it all for Chuma. RESPECT. #SECBROTHERS
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) April 7, 2019
Virginia really goin to the National Championship because the refs dont know what a double-dribble is LMAO pic.twitter.com/w4Bs2kVdLC
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 7, 2019
Gene Steratore explains a missed double-dribble call on Ty Jerome in the final seconds pic.twitter.com/5tVjF0iFlu
— SI College Hoops (@si_ncaabb) April 7, 2019
Double dribble!!!!!!! @Saints @AuburnTigers WDE GOT S...... @marchmadness https://t.co/6v4ybsYQaG
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) April 7, 2019
What double dribble? 🙄 https://t.co/4h4yQ44IiM
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) April 7, 2019
Auburn and Virginia both deserved better from this officiating crew. While this loss is going to take a while to process we can take solace in knowing that these Auburn men carried themselves with grace and dignity in both victory and defeat. Congratulations to Virginia on a fantastic season.