Clemson basketball reacts to late-game officiating in Louisville game

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Did officiating doom Clemson basketball against Louisville on Friday in the ACC tournament semifinals?

The three-seeded Tigers fell to No. 2 Louisville, losing 76-73 in the ACC tournament semifinals at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clemson (27-6) battled back from 11 points behind with 1:53 left in the game to cut its deficit to two. Tigers guard Chase Hunter had two chances to tie the score late but missed both as Louisville players made contact with him.

With 22 seconds left, Hunter drove to the paint and attempted a tying layup against Louisville forwards Aboubacar Traore and James Scott. Scott pressed against Hunter’s left shoulder on the attempt, while Traore made contact with Hunter while he blocked the shot. Still, the officiating crew of Ted Valentine, Tony Henderson and Tommy Morrissey did not call a shooting foul, and Hunter was credited with a turnover.

“That’s not up to me,” Hunter said. “I tried to make a play, and it didn’t go my way.”

If a foul had been called, Hunter would have attempted two free throws that could have tied the score. Hunter was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line on Friday and entered the game as the ACC’s fourth-best free-throw maker, shooting 86.3%.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell thought there was contact on the shot attempt, too.

“Proud of my guys for making a tough play, taking it in there against their defense to try to score and get fouled,” Brownell said. “There’s certainly contact. It’s a hard play to referee.”

MORE: How Clemson basketball’s loss vs Louisville in ACC tournament impacts March Madness predictions

Clemson had another chance to tie the score after Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn made 1-of-2 free throws to push Louisville’s lead to three points. With six seconds left, Hunter rushed down the court and attempted a deep 3-point heave. Louisville’s Terrence Edwards Jr. made contact with him before the attempt, but no foul was called.

“Obviously, a very difficult ending for us,” Brownell said….

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Source link : https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2025/03/15/clemson-basketball-louisville-officiating-chase-hunter-acc-tournament/81947790007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-15 05:56:00

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