North Carolina's win aided by officiating gaffe in final minute
One of the most important baskets in North Carolina's 71-65 victory over Gonzaga shouldn't have counted because the team shouldn't have had the ball.
While fighting for a loose ball on the floor, Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks had his hand touch the ground out of bounds. The play should've been blown dead and the ball should've been given to Gonzaga.
Related - Referees absurdly take over national title game, Twitter revolts
Instead, the referees blew the play dead and called it a jump ball, awarding the ball to North Carolina based on the possession arrow.
Hand out, perfectly legal. pic.twitter.com/yVLXDByImK
— Matt Smith (@SamENole) April 4, 2017
The Tar Heels converted the gifted possession into two points, stretching their lead to three. They followed that up with a defensive stop and a breakaway basket the other way to seal the championship.
Related - Investigation: Was this an amazing save or blown call?
Meeks is out of bounds!!! How do you miss this!? #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/DKhpmvbtgP
— Brandon. (@B_Wi11s) April 4, 2017
One more view:
Um, I do believe that student-athlete is out of bounds pic.twitter.com/DZ7hTaqKDL
— Alex Quigley (@alexquigley) April 4, 2017