Should UConn have gotten technical after 3-pointer? A WIAA player did
Duke radio wondered about a technical foul after UConn's crazy game-winner in the Elite Eight. A similar call went differently in the WIAA playoffs.
One of the circulated broadcast clips from the thrilling NCAA Elite Eight battle between Duke and Connecticut on Sunday, March 29 featured the Duke radio broadcast reacting to Braylon Mullins' jaw-dropping three-pointer, then immediately wondering about a technical foul for exuberant UConn players spilling onto the floor. Mullins hit an uncontested three-pointer from near midcourt, splashing through with 0. 3 seconds on the clock after a turnover to give UConn a 73-72 win, sending the Huskies to the Final Four.
UConn players did indeed set foot on the floor before jumping back into their designated space during the celebration. Duke's last gasp after the inbound didn't lead to a potential winning shot. Though college-basketball fans will no doubt rib Duke radio announcers for immediately resorting to a technicality, it should be noted that the WIAA girls basketball playoffs in Wisconsin hinged on a very similar call.
On Feb. 28 in a WIAA Division 5 regional final, top-seeded Pacelli Catholic of Stevens Point defeated Columbus Catholic of Marshfield, 74-73, in a game that pivoted on a technical foul called on the Columbus bench with 0. 1 seconds left.
With 6. 1 seconds left, Columbus Catholic freshman guard Elly Gardner split a pair of free throws to give Columbus Catholic a one-point lead at 73-72. Pacelli's Jaedyn Zdroik tried to go coast-to-coast thereafter, but her shot was way off the mark and landed out of bounds, striking the baseline with 0.