I did not watch the final game, but the officials did definitely blow the end of the semifinal game! First, they missed the double dribble which should have given the ball back to Auburn. The UVA shooter WAS fouled, but calling a touch foul at that point in the game with s few seconds left allowed the refs to determine the outcome of the game. Of course, the UVA player had to make three pressure free throws and the Auburn player should have made the second shot of the one and one at the other end of the court, but, IMO, to allow the game to play out in the final seconds would have been the better course of action.
I hate that thought. Not calling actual fouls in those situations also lets the refs decide the game and gives a huge advantage to the defense. Meaning you can foul away and it won’t get called because it is the end of the game. If you do not want called for a foul, don’t foul.
“The UVA shooter WAS fouled, ...”
From middle school onward, players are taught not to foul the jump shooter. That lesson is rarely learned.
No, at the end of the semi-final, the 3 pt shot foul was legitimate. And on the double-dribble, the Auburn guy grabbed the UVA guy’s jersey. Also not called.