College hoops fans couldn’t believe the flagrant foul call on Houston’s Josh Carlton in round two of the NCAA Tournament against Illinois.
The senior center committed what looked like a common foul on Illini big man Kofi Cockburn. But officials saw it a different way, handing the UConn transfer a flagrant 1 for the contact.
Fans reacted to what they saw as an overreaction by the refs on social media.
“A flagrant foul one on Josh Carlton?” tweeted a Cougars fan. “Gtfo.”
A flagrant foul one on Josh Carlton?
Gtfo 😡. #MarchMadness #GoCoogs— Mike H (@mikehenry1503) March 20, 2022
“That’s a tough flagrant for Josh Carlton,” tweeted a college basketball podcaster.
That’s a tough flagrant for Josh Carlton.
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) March 20, 2022
“After a review, officials rule that Houston’s Josh Carlton intentionally fouled big man Kofi Cockburn on a missed layup,” said Ross Dellenger. “Two foul shots for Illinois and the ball.”
After a review, officials rule that Houston’s Josh Carlton intentionally fouled big man Kofi Cockburn on a missed layup. Two foul shots for Illinois and the ball.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 20, 2022
“These refs in the NCAA tournament are getting a little over the top on these flagrant1/2 fouls!” commented another fan. “It’s Basketball! Holy cow!!! Already an F1 in the Illinois vs UofH game.”
These Refs in the @NCAA tournament are getting a little over the top on these flagrant 1/2 fouls! It’s Basketball! Holy cow!!! Already an F1 in the Illinois vs UofH game. #SMDH @MFinalFour @MarchMadnessMBB pic.twitter.com/PZHQMZKOch
— Andy Rodden (@Shadetree_77) March 20, 2022
“If that Houston play is a flagrant foul, then everything is a flagrant foul. I am ALL for protecting guys like Kofi who got abused in B1G play with no whistle,” a fan explained. “But you can’t make stuff up.”
If that Houston play is a flagrant foul, then everything is a flagrant foul. I am ALL for protecting guys like Kofi who got abused in B1G play with no whistle, but you can’t make stuff up.
Another prime example of college officials refusing to use their common sense.
— Isaiah Walker (@walkeri141) March 20, 2022
It’s been a tough couple opening rounds for NCAA officials.