The Iowa Hawkeyes benefitted from a controversial offensive foul call in the Final Four matchup with the UConn Huskies to make it to Sunday’s championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Hawkeyes benefitted from an uncalled offensive foul in the early part of the title game.
During the beginning of the first quarter, Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark got away with a pretty clear and obvious shove against a South Carolina defender in order to create space for a three-point basket.
Before receiving the ball, Clark pushed South Carolina guard Bree Hall, sending her flying across the court. She then received a pass behind the three-point line and splashed a three-point basket to put Iowa up 10-0 early.
Y’all come see what Caitlin Clark is getting away with here.
pic.twitter.com/OonhKWXMEM
— Chris Carter (@xxxAvocat) April 7, 2024
It clearly should have been an offensive foul on Clark and the basket should not have counted, and the play led to a lot of reactions on social media as a result.
When I tell you that there has to be accountability for officiating, this is what I mean. @NCAA @MarchMadnessWBB these student athletes at ALL schools, work way too hard, to be cheated like this. @SECOfficiating @YolettMcCuin you can’t be ok with this. @GamecockWBB pay the fine https://t.co/DbBaO9ySqg
— Bourbon At Tiffany's (@Bourbontiffanys) April 7, 2024
Sports fans: “Let them play!”
The exact same sports fans: https://t.co/hDbJowTSQm
— Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) April 7, 2024
can't wait to see the bright basketball minds try to excuse this when UConn got bounced off an "illegal" screen. https://t.co/0awXWAC8xw
— sto | Artist Development & Marketing | Writer | (@BigSto) April 7, 2024
This is allowed but when Raven and Tessa play amazing defense with barely any contact is a foul.
Noted. https://t.co/Poo0T1gJuh
— Owen Pence (@OwenPence) April 7, 2024
It was a foul but I’m glad they didn’t reward this shameless flop. Lol shorty reacted like she got hit with a truck. https://t.co/SYS5LXurBz
— Hub (@KenHeLive) April 7, 2024
Feel how you want to about either team, this is egregious. https://t.co/zbs52p5y2U
— Portia J. (@PortiaNoir) April 7, 2024
Obviously, the missed call didn’t ultimately matter all that much as the Gamecocks overcame the early double-digit deficit to beat the Hawkeyes and claim the national title. But it was still an egregious foul that should have called on Clark in the biggest game of the year.
