[burger]

I thought Okpara got fouled there at the end.

Totally agree. Chopped his arms.

True enough but in the final second almost no refs are going to call that foul. 
Okpara appeared to be trying to heave an outlet pass to Sellers who had leaked out all by himself to the other end. It had no chance but I can see why Okpara might have had the thought that such a pass could win the game. 
As it turned out, he made a perfect pass to Hepburn who just barely got the shot off before the buzzer. ANY other action would have sent the game to overtime ... where I am guessing we would have lost given the game flow (and Raynaud's seat on the bench). 

It also hurt because Stanford had actually played really good defense on the final possession - minus the one moment.

Lawrence Hill begs to differ about fouls not being called at the end of a game in a near identical situation. 

(For those who don't remember, this was at the end of the UCLA game in 2008 where a win would've given us a leg up for the regular season title.  Hill was called for a phantom foul right at the end which ultimately cost us the game.  The player he fouled, Darren Collison, admitted it wasn't a foul.  Yes, I'm still bitter.  That one gets added to today on my personal list of all-time officiating screw jobs)

[burger]

I thought Okpara got fouled there at the end.

Totally agree. Chopped his arms.

True enough but in the final second almost no refs are going to call that foul. 
Okpara appeared to be trying to heave an outlet pass to Sellers who had leaked out all by himself to the other end. It had no chance but I can see why Okpara might have had the thought that such a pass could win the game. 
As it turned out, he made a perfect pass to Hepburn who just barely got the shot off before the buzzer. ANY other action would have sent the game to overtime ... where I am guessing we would have lost given the game flow (and Raynaud's seat on the bench). 

It also hurt because Stanford had actually played really good defense on the final possession - minus the one moment.

Lawrence Hill begs to differ about fouls not being called at the end of a game in a near identical situation. 

(For those who don't remember, this was at the end of the UCLA game in 2008 where a win would've given us a leg up for the regular season title.  Hill was called for a phantom foul right at the end which ultimately cost us the game.  The player he fouled, Darren Collison, admitted it wasn't a foul.  Yes, I'm still bitter.  That one gets added to today on my personal list of all-time officiating screw jobs)

[jacket3ree]

19 fouls called on Stanford, 10 on Louisville.

Zebras gave this one to Louisville.

I didn't get to watch any of the game, so you might be right (as is every fan of every team that lost a close one ever) but a 19-10 foul disparity doesn't mean anything by itself. It is the actual calls when they occur and how they affect the outcome. I see some strong cases made in the thread and if Louisville was a Tobacco Road Mafia team, I'd give it to you without question.....

Anyway, I am glad Stanford got to experience the "real" part of an ACC tournament (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) and wasn't one and done in its first of who knows how many, losing to Cal of all teams, and categorically did not puke on their shoes. I saw Tech had a 14- or 16-ish point lead on Duke in the early game at one point. I knew they would lose, but glad to see the fight. And they beat UVA for the first time in years while I watched in the Charlottesville airport lounge, so that was cool. Less cool was dealing with Calfan Mrs. Jacketree while delayed in a Hartsfield (ATL) without running trains. "Ah, they suck anyway - it never mattered." Whoops, wrong thing to say, but after 14 airport/air hours doing a quintessential non-chartered at all ACC trip - so much baseball and softball - all I cared about was the Shake Shack in Terminal A. Will be making nice to her as soon as I get home tonight.  A brief dream of the Tech-Stanford Saturday Showdown in Charlotte out of nowhere quashed, but that's tournament ball, even when the teams are more top end. Hope they get there.

I'm never mad when one of my teams skips the NIT (Not In Tournament) and would love to see a study that disputes or confirms any sort of forward momentum, particularly in the age of free agency. Heck, Stanford won two (?) titles recently and those got them exactly nowhere. If the players are clamoring to play more, fine. Maybe because he's in his first year and maybe there is a contract incentive he can get. Do not under any circumstance accept one of the off brand pay to play tournaments. With 20 wins and a name, they should make the NIT.

[jacket3ree]

19 fouls called on Stanford, 10 on Louisville.

Zebras gave this one to Louisville.

I didn't get to watch any of the game, so you might be right (as is every fan of every team that lost a close one ever) but a 19-10 foul disparity doesn't mean anything by itself. It is the actual calls when they occur and how they affect the outcome. I see some strong cases made in the thread and if Louisville was a Tobacco Road Mafia team, I'd give it to you without question.....

Anyway, I am glad Stanford got to experience the "real" part of an ACC tournament (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) and wasn't one and done in its first of who knows how many, losing to Cal of all teams, and categorically did not puke on their shoes. I saw Tech had a 14- or 16-ish point lead on Duke in the early game at one point. I knew they would lose, but glad to see the fight. And they beat UVA for the first time in years while I watched in the Charlottesville airport lounge, so that was cool. Less cool was dealing with Calfan Mrs. Jacketree while delayed in a Hartsfield (ATL) without running trains. "Ah, they suck anyway - it never mattered." Whoops, wrong thing to say, but after 14 airport/air hours doing a quintessential non-chartered at all ACC trip - so much baseball and softball - all I cared about was the Shake Shack in Terminal A. Will be making nice to her as soon as I get home tonight.  A brief dream of the Tech-Stanford Saturday Showdown in Charlotte out of nowhere quashed, but that's tournament ball, even when the teams are more top end. Hope they get there.

I'm never mad when one of my teams skips the NIT (Not In Tournament) and would love to see a study that disputes or confirms any sort of forward momentum, particularly in the age of free agency. Heck, Stanford won two (?) titles recently and those got them exactly nowhere. If the players are clamoring to play more, fine. Maybe because he's in his first year and maybe there is a contract incentive he can get. Do not under any circumstance accept one of the off brand pay to play tournaments. With 20 wins and a name, they should make the NIT.

[TonyLima]

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

[TonyLima]

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

[Nobadeer]

Indeed. I'm guessing the ACC leadership high-fived/breathed a sigh of relief at the no-call on Okpara getting mugged on the final play. Can't imagine anyone at the ACC hq wanted a refugee team from the left coast to appear in the final 4 of its marquee event.

[Nobadeer]

Indeed. I'm guessing the ACC leadership high-fived/breathed a sigh of relief at the no-call on Okpara getting mugged on the final play. Can't imagine anyone at the ACC hq wanted a refugee team from the left coast to appear in the final 4 of its marquee event.

[BillBradley]

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm all for drumming up paranoia, but feel like that's a reach. Louisville is the #13 ranked team in the country and a lock to make the tourney, even with a loss to Stanford.

We've all seen games that were officiated way worse than this one. FT's were only 18 to 12. No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

Very happy with the mens team this year. Met/exceeded my expectations. I've always been a Kyle Smith fan - he does great even though he's never had much. Let's just hope we get to find out what he can do when he has more.

[BillBradley]

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm all for drumming up paranoia, but feel like that's a reach. Louisville is the #13 ranked team in the country and a lock to make the tourney, even with a loss to Stanford.

We've all seen games that were officiated way worse than this one. FT's were only 18 to 12. No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

Very happy with the mens team this year. Met/exceeded my expectations. I've always been a Kyle Smith fan - he does great even though he's never had much. Let's just hope we get to find out what he can do when he has more.

[scorecard]

 No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

I would bet that every one of those refs make that call if it was Cooper Flagg holding that rebound.

[scorecard]

 No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

I would bet that every one of those refs make that call if it was Cooper Flagg holding that rebound.

[Maple Leaf]

 No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

I would bet that every one of those refs make that call if it was Cooper Flagg holding that rebound.

or a domer or toejam or bruin

[Maple Leaf]

 No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

I would bet that every one of those refs make that call if it was Cooper Flagg holding that rebound.

or a domer or toejam or bruin

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

[Maple Leaf]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

[Maple Leaf]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

[jacket3ree]

Wow, four months into the ACC and we're already floating conspiracy theories. I've been in 44 years and became so paranoid that I am no longer paranoid.*  Secure the rebound and go to OT. Sure looks like he just threw it to the guy for the win. No decent ref there blows a whistle on that rebound at the end. That's all normal rebounding stuff, no advantage. Don't throw it to the white jerseys next time.

The esteemed Senator from New Jersey beat me to it, but Louisville is a lock. Carolina is where you need to focus the tin foil. They might already be in because....Michael Jordan and Dean Smith and Roy Williams and all the titles, but it sure would help to beat Duke in the semis or at least look good while losing to secure that bid. But wait, Duke also has favored nation status! Heads will explode! Even Scheyer said playing Flagg "wasn't worth it". Yep, the fix is in. ACC gets four teams, not three.

*Go ahead and give this a name and start a file. All of the ACC teams have one. Maryland still has one. Bring up Jarrett Jack's nuts fouling JJ Reddick's fist and any long time Tech fan (and lots of other ACC fans) know instantly and exactly the moment near the end of a tight 2005 final. Poor officiating, but what's the conspiracy? Any time we play Duke, the mid season '93 absolute layout of Bobby Hurley by Malcolm Mackey resurfaces. Billy Packer gasps like Mackey killed Hurley in cold blood. Then on replay: 'Jim, watching it now, that's a solid screen.' To Hurley's credit, he got up after a few minutes went to the bench, and came back in to lead Duke to the road win. For years, that was Exhibit 58 of how Tech was constantly screwed over for the Carolina teams, particularly UNC and Duke. I watched it yesterday on a work monitor that's probably larger than the TV I watched it on 32 years ago. Still a solid screen, but of course Mackey used his arms to brace himself for the collision he knew was coming but Hurley didn't. I can see calling that a foul. I can see not calling that a foul.

Yep 44 years. Long enough to remember Coach K bitching about all the calls Dean Smith and Terry Holland used to get at his expense.

[jacket3ree]

Wow, four months into the ACC and we're already floating conspiracy theories. I've been in 44 years and became so paranoid that I am no longer paranoid.*  Secure the rebound and go to OT. Sure looks like he just threw it to the guy for the win. No decent ref there blows a whistle on that rebound at the end. That's all normal rebounding stuff, no advantage. Don't throw it to the white jerseys next time.

The esteemed Senator from New Jersey beat me to it, but Louisville is a lock. Carolina is where you need to focus the tin foil. They might already be in because....Michael Jordan and Dean Smith and Roy Williams and all the titles, but it sure would help to beat Duke in the semis or at least look good while losing to secure that bid. But wait, Duke also has favored nation status! Heads will explode! Even Scheyer said playing Flagg "wasn't worth it". Yep, the fix is in. ACC gets four teams, not three.

*Go ahead and give this a name and start a file. All of the ACC teams have one. Maryland still has one. Bring up Jarrett Jack's nuts fouling JJ Reddick's fist and any long time Tech fan (and lots of other ACC fans) know instantly and exactly the moment near the end of a tight 2005 final. Poor officiating, but what's the conspiracy? Any time we play Duke, the mid season '93 absolute layout of Bobby Hurley by Malcolm Mackey resurfaces. Billy Packer gasps like Mackey killed Hurley in cold blood. Then on replay: 'Jim, watching it now, that's a solid screen.' To Hurley's credit, he got up after a few minutes went to the bench, and came back in to lead Duke to the road win. For years, that was Exhibit 58 of how Tech was constantly screwed over for the Carolina teams, particularly UNC and Duke. I watched it yesterday on a work monitor that's probably larger than the TV I watched it on 32 years ago. Still a solid screen, but of course Mackey used his arms to brace himself for the collision he knew was coming but Hurley didn't. I can see calling that a foul. I can see not calling that a foul.

Yep 44 years. Long enough to remember Coach K bitching about all the calls Dean Smith and Terry Holland used to get at his expense.

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

Actually, I forgot the :).  Apologies.

---

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm all for drumming up paranoia, but feel like that's a reach. Louisville is the #13 ranked team in the country and a lock to make the tourney, even with a loss to Stanford.

We've all seen games that were officiated way worse than this one. FT's were only 18 to 12. No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

Very happy with the mens team this year. Met/exceeded my expectations. I've always been a Kyle Smith fan - he does great even though he's never had much. Let's just hope we get to find out what he can do when he has more.

Agree Louisvilke is a lock. But a loss to Stanford would have given them a lower seed.

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

Actually, I forgot the :).  Apologies.

---

For those of you who are not paranoid enough yet, think this over. Stanford is playing in the ACC. They have no chance of going to the NCAA tournament. Louisville has a pretty good chance of going to the tournament. But their chances would be severely diminished by losing to Stanford. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm all for drumming up paranoia, but feel like that's a reach. Louisville is the #13 ranked team in the country and a lock to make the tourney, even with a loss to Stanford.

We've all seen games that were officiated way worse than this one. FT's were only 18 to 12. No ref makes that call on Okpara at the end, foul or not.

Very happy with the mens team this year. Met/exceeded my expectations. I've always been a Kyle Smith fan - he does great even though he's never had much. Let's just hope we get to find out what he can do when he has more.

Agree Louisvilke is a lock. But a loss to Stanford would have given them a lower seed.

[JJJ]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

[JJJ]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

I’ll try to get this game posted today. Then everyone can useslo-mo

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

I’ll try to get this game posted today. Then everyone can useslo-mo

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

I’ll try to get this game posted today. Then everyone can useslo-mo

Uploaded at 2:30 left coast time. Should be available by 3:30 latest.  Enjoy, subscribe, and post comments here.

---

Update: video available 2:40 pm. Direct link

[TonyLima]

Interesting perspective. 

Stanford player inexplicably throws ball to Louisville for buzzer-beater in ACC tournament

I disagree with this analysis, base upon the close up replays that were broadcast just after the buzzer, it was clear that no specific player had complete control of the ball needed to make a pass.  Okpara did have for a brief second both hands on the ball but two different Louisville players were grabbing at the ball at the same time and in turn grabbing Okpara's arms.

I thought Okpara would have actually made a long outlet pass but 2 defenders were grabbing at his arms and the ball bounced off one of their arms like a deflection. Agreed that it wasn’t a clean sequence.

I’ll try to get this game posted today. Then everyone can useslo-mo

Uploaded at 2:30 left coast time. Should be available by 3:30 latest.  Enjoy, subscribe, and post comments here.

---

Update: video available 2:40 pm. Direct link

[jacket3ree]

Don't remember Keefe, but UNC just lost a chance to send their game against Duke to OT because of a lane violation on a made free throw. That's worse than chucking a bobbled rebound straight to the opponent for a buzzer beater.

So much for conspiracies. He missed the first of two that could have won the game. Assuming no butterfly effect and he made the second like he did and they stayed out of the lane like they didn't.

[jacket3ree]

Don't remember Keefe, but UNC just lost a chance to send their game against Duke to OT because of a lane violation on a made free throw. That's worse than chucking a bobbled rebound straight to the opponent for a buzzer beater.

So much for conspiracies. He missed the first of two that could have won the game. Assuming no butterfly effect and he made the second like he did and they stayed out of the lane like they didn't.

[76lsjumb]

Now that clown at SBNation can write about somebody else…

[76lsjumb]

Now that clown at SBNation can write about somebody else…

[TonyLima]

Now that clown at SBNation can write about somebody else…

LOL agree.

[TonyLima]

Now that clown at SBNation can write about somebody else…

LOL agree.

[PVTree]

Louisville beats Clemson. Of course, the transitive property doesn't apply, but it would have been nice to be in that game, win it, and face a short-handed Dook team in the final.

[PVTree]

Louisville beats Clemson. Of course, the transitive property doesn't apply, but it would have been nice to be in that game, win it, and face a short-handed Dook team in the final.

[Canalejas]

Anybody else keeping an eye on the Big West conference tournament? UCSD, after winning a regular season title, is in the conference final and waiting for the winner of UCI and Cal Poly SLO. SLO, by the way, has both a conference and an overall losing record, so if they end up winning they're definitely going to burst someone's bubble.  Meanwhile, UCSD is looking to make the Big Dance during their first year of D1 eligibility.

[Canalejas]

Anybody else keeping an eye on the Big West conference tournament? UCSD, after winning a regular season title, is in the conference final and waiting for the winner of UCI and Cal Poly SLO. SLO, by the way, has both a conference and an overall losing record, so if they end up winning they're definitely going to burst someone's bubble.  Meanwhile, UCSD is looking to make the Big Dance during their first year of D1 eligibility.

[PVTree]

Yes, watching the game. They're the type of schools from which we could get a transfer.

[PVTree]

Yes, watching the game. They're the type of schools from which we could get a transfer.