North Carolina was on the heels (without word game) of completing a return of 24 points against Duke better classified in the ACC semifinal, but an expensive error ruined its possibilities.
Ven-Alalle Lubin was on the line with 4.1 seconds to go to have the opportunity to tie the game, and made his free kick.
However, he was denied by a lane rape.
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North Carolina Guard, Seth Trimble (7) reacts to a lost opportunity later during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in Spectrum Center. (Images Jim Dedmon-Imagn)
The referees blew the whistle about Jae’lyn Withers as Duke, without Cooper Flagg, celebrated. The Blue Devils were able to tear down a couple of free throws, and Lubin lost his triple to send the game on extra time, giving Duke a 74-71 victory.
While the rape was clear, many fans were upset with the call.
“Don’t call them in those situations, man,” said a user in X.
“Look how excited the referee was to enter the work and decide the game in an absolutely meaningless violation. Total misfortune,” added another.
He wrote one more: “As usual, the referees who do their own.”
But a rarity occurred, since many other fans reached the defense of the officials.
North Carolina Guard, RJ Davis Guard (4) and Guard Seth Trimble (7) react to a lost opportunity later during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in Spectrum Center. (Images Jim Dedmon-Imagn)
“Man, if it is a rape in the first, why isn’t it now? And that was clear as the day,” said a publication.
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“I guess you could say that I had stained the shot,” Withers said. “I was trying to make sure it crashed to ensure a rebound in case it was lost.”
But UNC refused to blame the whistle of the loss.
“It was much more guilty than a lane rape,” Lubin said. “We made a lot of mistakes throughout the game. We were in that position trying to get out of it and go out with a victory or arrive on extra time.”
“We all made mistakes in this game,” said RJ Davis. “I am behind J-Wit. He has our full support, and we would not be in this position without J-Wit. I want him to keep his head up. We all make mistakes in this game. It’s not just in him.”
Chief coach Hubert Davis also supported his player.
“Boys, we are not here without J-Wit,” Davis said.
North Carolina Guard, Seth Trimble (7) reacts to lose in recent seconds against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the Spectrum Center. (Images Jim Dedmon-Imagn)
The hopes of the UNC tournament now seem to have finished. A victory in the ACC title would have achieved an automatic offer, but the semifinal loss with a regular low season may not be sufficient.
