When Kansas Jayhawks guard Nicolas Timberlake went for a dunk in the final seconds, Samford Bulldogs guard A.J. Staton-McCray made him pay. Then the referees blew the call.
#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/vUUPmZlcZi
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2024
After Jaden Campbell's three-pointer brought Samford within a point of the Kansas Jayhawks, Samford put on a full-court press.
When the Bulldogs didn't foul, they found Timberlake streaking to the hoop. But instead of laying the ball in, Timberlake tried for an emphatic slam, which was slapped away with an incredible effort from Staton-McCray.
But the referees called a shooting foul, even though the replay clearly showed a clean block. Samford had fought its way nearly back from a 20-point deficit, only to have a chance to win the game taken away by one of the worst calls you'll ever see.
One possession before Campbell's clutch three, Achor Achor threw down a hammer-hammer to get Samford within two.
ACHOR ACHOR WITH AUTHORITY #MarchMadness @SamfordMBB pic.twitter.com/b7ZphnbnDB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2024
Timberlake hit both of his unearned free throws, and Samford was forced to take a desperation three with five seconds left. Jermaine Marshall's jumper missed, and Kansas advanced to play Gonzaga in the second round.
What was frustrating about the missed call was that the last seconds took forever, thanks to endless replay reviews. But the biggest play of the game was unreviewable, even as viewers could see the clean block over and over.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Samford and a heartbreaking moment for CBS rules expert Gene Steratore, who could only wince and acknowledge that his referee brethren got it wrong.
Just an unbelievable, LeBron-esque chase down block by Samford’s AJ Staton-McCray. Did not like the foul call here, this appeared to be all ball. #NCAAMarchMadness pic.twitter.com/W8pXHONTeg
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) March 22, 2024
Rock. Chalk. Disallowed block. Kansas advanced, but it felt unearned.
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