PHILADELPHIA − The fast-paced ending to Tennessee and Virginia’s Men’s NCAA Tournament battle stood still while referees debated at the replay monitor.
In the final 30 seconds of Tennessee basketball’s 79-72 win over Virginia on March 22, a controversial out-of-bounds call swung in the Vols favor, helping them secure the victory and move on to the Sweet 16.
As players battled for a rebound under Virginia’s basket, Tennessee’s Nate Ament swatted the ball. It bounced off of Bishop Boswell’s head and seemed to glide over the hands of Virginia’s Dallin Hall before going out of bounds. Officials initially ruled Tennessee basketball, then upheld the call after a challenge from Virginia coach Ryan Odom.
The Vols only led 73-71, and an extra possession could have allowed the Cavaliers to tie or even take the lead. Instead, Hall fouled Ja’Kobi Gillespie, leading to two free throws and a two-possession, 75-71 lead for Tennessee.
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Hall quickly admitted to touching the ball after the game.
“It happened pretty quick,” he said. “I knew it hit me, barely. Unfortunately it worked out the way it did. It was a super fast play, but there were a lot of opportunities. It never comes down to one play.”
The play helped push the No. 6 Vols (24-11) to a Sweet 16 matchup at the United Center in Chicago against No. 2 Iowa State (29-7) on March 27 (10:10 p.m. ET, TBS).
The winner will play No. 1 Michigan (33-3) or No. 4 Alabama (25-9) in the Elite Eight on March 29.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Did controversial call boost Tennessee basketball to Sweet 16? What Dallin Hall said
