Friday’s NCAA Tournament matchup between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Northwestern Wildcats came down to the wire, with the game hanging in the balance at the end of regulation. Unfortunately for FAU fans, a questionable decision on the final shot of regulation led to their demise.
Northwestern was able to tie the game with nine seconds remaining in the second half, allowing one final chance for FAU to come away with the game in regulation.
Johnell Davis, FAU’s best player, had the ball in his hands for the final shot. He seemingly had plenty of time to get a good look at a game-winner. But instead, he opted to slowly dribble the ball up and take a deep contested three, which was blocked by Northwestern.
The final seconds of regulation in Northwestern-Florida Atlantic. We have OT! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/4xNqQHViGv
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 22, 2024
It’s about as bizarre of a final shot as you will ever see. And naturally, fans took to social media to criticize him for this incredibly questionable decision.
Johnell Davis with 7 seconds left in regulation pic.twitter.com/dWoQSqXpcB
— Calvin (@FlockCwood) March 22, 2024
Johnell Davis getting into his offense with the game on the linepic.twitter.com/iAKh7TKOK5
— PropSwap (@PropSwap) March 22, 2024
"Johnell Davis for the win" pic.twitter.com/uImofwWA9D
— BetRivers Sportsbook (@BetRivers) March 22, 2024
https://twitter.com/KentrelUTD/status/1771248618030166393
Oh man. Did Johnell Davis not know the clock was running out???? Woof.
To overtime we go!
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 22, 2024
It sure seemed like Davis either didn’t know that the clock was where it was at, or he just thought that the three-point shot would be the best approach.
Regardless, it obviously wasn’t a very good look. And things would quickly go downhill once the game reached overtime.
Northwestern would put up an offensive flurry in overtime, scoring 19 points in the period to come away with a 77-65 victory. In general, Davis didn’t have his best game in this matchup, going just 6-16 from the field with a costly nine turnovers.
There is a pretty clear argument that given his struggles in the game, he should have never been the one taking the big shot in this situation in the first place.
But FAU rode with the player that got them to the dance. And unfortunately because of that, the Owls are headed home.
