The No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels have recently defeated the Duke Blue Devils with a concluding score of 93-84. The Blue Devils stand in the seventh spot currently and the game saw a controversial turn take place as well.
The Tar Heels were leading with a score of 88-79 and with less than 50 seconds remaining in the game, a scuffle happened involving both Kyle Filipowski of Duke and guard RJ Davis of North Carolina. The decision given by the referee initially was a personal foul but later it was upgraded to flagrant violation, hook and hold.
Referee Roger Ayers, however, knew the weight of the decision and its impact on the jubilant North Carolina crowd. Ayers explained his decision and stated, “I’m about to get booed real bad here, but I’m going to upgrade that to a hook-and-clamp on RJ Davis. They’ll get 2 shots and get the ball.”
Referee Roger Ayers correctly predicts he's "about to get booed real bad" after a foul review during the final minute of UNC's win over Duke. pic.twitter.com/PiW4v0fkK3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 4, 2024
The consequence of the decision was that Duke had two free throws and possessed the ball in the next play. Ayers’ forethought was correct, as the crowd later hooted at him for his decisions.
The spectators did not like that call and ESPN’s play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman was also one of the people who had a question regarding Ayers’ decision. After Ayers stated his decision, Shulman said, “I didn’t see it that way. That is a huge call with 43 seconds remaining in regulation.”
The community also took a similar stance against Ayers’ decision and shared their perspective on Platform X, formerly Twitter.
Garbage call
— Moody (@moodyfan_) February 4, 2024
An absolutely ridiculous call.
— Eddie G (@jopa325) February 4, 2024
That’s because it was an atrocious call.
— chrisdarling (@chrisdarling) February 4, 2024
That’s ok. We took care of business right away🔥🩵🏀🐏
— Shawn C. McNeary (@ShawnMcNeary) February 4, 2024
He wanted to make it about him.
— Bryce Wall (@BryceWa81334912) February 4, 2024
Roger Ayers is one of the best but he screwed this one up. Davis did hold Flip but it was for dear life.
— Derrick S. Brown (@dsbrown1981) February 4, 2024
He tried so hard all night and ruined right at the end. Good effort the first 39 minutes. https://t.co/4nZin7JGGp
— Jordan Groh (@Jordan_Groh) February 4, 2024
You know your call is pathetic when you predict you’ll get booed for it
— Robbie Bandin (@robe11992) February 4, 2024
Obviously knew it was the wrong call and did it anyway?! He better gtf outta CH incognito!
— Alison (@alisonbmossey) February 4, 2024
The North Carolina Tar Heels will next face the Clemson Tigers, whereas the Duke Blue Devils will headlock with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
