A controversial instant replay decision helped swing things in Virginia’s favor during overtime of the National Championship Game on Monday night.
The Cavaliers and Texas Tech were in a tight game with the Hoos leading 75-73 with 1:06 remaining in overtime. Virginia missed an outside shot and the ball was deflected towards mid-court, where players raced after the loose ball. Texas Tech’s Davide Moretti got it but had it knocked out of his hands on a steal effort by De’Andre Hunter. There was an instant replay review to decide who touched the ball last.
The initial call on the floor was Texas Tech ball, but a review showed the ball seemed to tip off Moretti after Hunter knocked it out, so the officials gave possession to Virginia instead.
Did this call really just decide a National Championship? pic.twitter.com/NlsuDBiU1F
— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) April 9, 2019
Officials expert Gene Steratore said nothing jumped out at him as a reason to change the call, though he later said they got it right by changing things.
Virginia took advantage of the call. They got fouled, made both free throws, and repeated the process three more times to win it all 85-77. That call was a game-changer and seemed to be correct. Critics feel it goes against the spirit of instant replay, much like this type of play in baseball.
