It was a fast paced game with 8 lead changes and 10 ties. At the end, the person that had the most impact wasn’t wearing a Seton Hall or Arkansas uniform.
In a controversial call, a referee changed a blocking call on Seton Hall forward Desi Rodriguez to a Flagrant-1 foul. With the conversion of the two flagrant free throws and 1 of the 2 double bonus free throws, the Razorbacks were able to extend their 1-point lead to a 75-71 point lead with just seconds remaining. They went on to win the game 77-71.
Arkansas guard Jaylen Barford was asked about the call during the team’s post game press conference:
I didn’t know he was going to push me like that. I never felt like that. I was surprised he pushed me like that.
Coach Mike Anderson stated that there simply wasn’t a play on the ball so the call was accurate.
Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard refused to bash the refs, stating that all three “riffed a good game all night” and that of course he would disagree because “that’s what coaches do”.
Tough to see such great games come down to a call; especially when its “win or go home”. But hey, it’s March Madness and anything goes.
Flip the page for a look at the controversial call.
