This year’s Men’s NCAA tournament was supposed to be the year Gonzaga finally broke through. With freshman Chet Holmgren in the fold, a likely NBA lottery pick, the Bulldogs would avenge their defeat in last season’s national championship game, and everything would be sunshine and rainbows.
You know what they say: The best-laid plans of bulldogs and men often go awry.
On Thursday night, Arkansas upset Gonzaga, 74-68. A shame because the impeccably talented Holmgren was supposed to take Zags (-8.5) over the top, but that’s only when he plays the entire game. With Arkansas leading 62-56 and smelling blood in the water late in the second half, J.D. Notae drove down the baseline toward Holmgren.
When Holgrem went up to challenge him, Notae managed the unthinkable — he got the big man to foul out.
Chet Holmgren fouled out on this play 😳
Gonzaga is down 8 with 2:08 to go 👀
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) March 25, 2022
As is often the case in big games, college hoops fans took exception to the controversial call on Holmgren that unofficially ended a Gonzaga comeback attempt. They didn’t agree with a few of the previous foul calls on Holmgren, either.
Chet Holmgren fouls out with 11 points and 14 rebounds after yet another ticky tack foul that has been the case both ways.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) March 25, 2022
We making history in the Bay. Chet Holmgren just became the first player in the history of basketball to foul out with two fouls. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/RMmk6MGzqZ
— Garrett (@ghylton) March 25, 2022
Chet Holmgren just fouled out on some terrible calls. The NCAA deserves to have some terrible officiating when you let Doug Shows referee a big game.
— Jared Laxson (@jaredwadelaxson) March 25, 2022
Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith both getting screwed over in the tournament. Smith by terrible PG play. Holmgren by that plus bad officiating.
Their NBA roles will be so much different. I can’t wait to see them in the pick-and-roll with a player who can smoothly run an offense.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 25, 2022
Chet Holmgren standing there putting his hands up is NOT a foul, refs. Someone has to put a stop to this officiating @ZagMBB #MarchMadness
— Spencer Brabham (@spencerbrabham) March 25, 2022
How the refs on Chet Holmgren pic.twitter.com/yaYjYNIxwR
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) March 25, 2022
They’ve been on Chet Holmgren’s case all night and they end his night calling a foul on this #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/JT7XzapFTo
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) March 25, 2022
I'M SORRY, NCAA BASKETBALL WITH ITS ONLY FIVE FOULS AND AMATEURISH REFS IS A JOKE. SO IF CHET HOLMGREN JUMPS BACKWARD AND THE ARKANSAS PLAYER DRIVES THE BALL UP INTO HIS CHEST, THAT'S A FOUL ON HOLMGREN??? CLOWN COLLEGE CALL – AS WERE 3 OTHERS ON FOULED-OUT HOLMGREN.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 25, 2022
Chet Holmgren got fouled out of the biggest game of his life for jumping straight up in the air and being jumped into. Criminal.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 25, 2022
Chet Holmgren has now fouled out. WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO??? Verticality! pic.twitter.com/hXvnuIvtaW
— DGC (@Itamar_17_10) March 25, 2022
Genuinely, what is it that the refs want Chet Holmgren to do?
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 25, 2022
Arkansas deserves credit for the shocking upset, but given the circumstances, this one will sting a long time for Gonzaga. While the Bulldogs could’ve defended better, especially on Notae (23 points), Holmgren fouling out didn’t help their chances at victory. It’s another March and another year where Gonzaga disappoints.
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