Duke just survived a serious scare from UCF to advance to the Sweet 16.
The Blue Devils pulled it out 77-76 on a controversial game-winning basket by R.J. Barrett. It appeared that Barrett got away with a shove in the back of a UCF player, which led to the bucket. There also appeared to be a hook and hold on the other side of the lane:
RJ BARRETT FOR THE LEAD!#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/YYKhh2NbDl
— Snack Time Fantasy (@Snack_TimeFS) March 24, 2019
How did Duke grab Zion’s missed FT to survive UCF? A DeLaurier blatant arm hook & hold and a 2-handed shove to the back from Barrett did the trick. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/raWEwW07R3
— Richie Whitt (@richiewhitt) March 24, 2019
On the possession before the Barrett basket, Zion Williamson appeared to get away with a charge that wasn’t called resulting in an and one situation:
ZION WILLIAMSON NOT READY TO GO HOME YET pic.twitter.com/qsyYb5pIXC
— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) March 24, 2019
UCF had two chances at the buzzer to win, but the rim was unkind:
UCF was this close to winning. Duke was this close to losing.
Only in March. pic.twitter.com/Zqh8isZQSP
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2019
Jeff Goodman says Duke definitely got a favorable whistle:
Just watched the replays of the Zion drive and also the R.J. offensive putback off the missed FT.
Looked like Zion extended his left arm on B.J. Taylor on the drive, and also R.J. pushed Dawkins to get the board.
Duke got a favorable whistle. Not exactly shocking.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 24, 2019
Surprise, surprise.
