The Kentucky Wildcats’ 76-57 win over Troy in the NCAA Tournament opener was supposed to be a celebration of their dominance on the court. Instead, the game will be remembered for the controversy surrounding the officiating.
Several crucial calls went against Troy, with many of them appearing to be questionable at best. The Trojans’ coaching staff was visibly frustrated throughout the game, with head coach Scott Cross earning a technical foul in the second half.
The most contentious call came with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, when Troy’s Zay Williams was whistled for a foul on Kentucky’s Amari Williams. Replays showed that Williams may have flopped to draw the call, but the referees saw it differently.
The call sparked a heated exchange between Cross and the referees, with the Troy coach ultimately being assessed a technical foul. The Wildcats went on to score the next five points, effectively putting the game out of reach.
After the game, Cross was diplomatic in his criticism of the officiating, saying only that “some calls didn’t go our way.” However, his players were more vocal in their discontent, with several taking to social media to express their frustration.
For their part, the Wildcats seemed unfazed by the controversy, instead choosing to focus on their dominant performance. “We can’t control the officiating,” said head coach Mark Pope. “All we can do is play our game and let the chips fall where they may.”
The win marked the Wildcats’ first NCAA Tournament victory since 2019, and they’ll look to build on that momentum as they advance to the Round of 32.
What do you think about the officiating in the Kentucky-Troy game? Share your thoughts in the comments!
