Yardbarker
x
Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin attempted to apologize after possible contact with TCU dancer
Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin attempted to apologize after possible contact with TCU dancer

Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin went viral during this past Sunday's thrilling 85-80 overtime win over the TCU Horned Frogs in the second round of the ongoing NCAA Tournament for multiple reasons. 

First, the Pac-12 Player of the Year delivered what may go down as the top dunk of the competition, not to mention a moment that may cause the most excitement among fans and commentators that doesn't involve the cutting of a net, in the game's second half:

As The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) noted, though, Mathurin earned criticism when he seemed to make inappropriate contact with a TCU dance team member while walking off the court shortly after Arizona's victory:

Mathurin told reporters Wednesday he has attempted to apologize to the dance team member via an email sent through the TCU athletic department. He didn't answer a question about if he recalled making any contact, but Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke defended the player in a statement released earlier on Wednesday. 

"Shortly after returning to Tucson, I was notified that people on social media were claiming a video clip showed Bennedict Mathurin may have made physical contact with a TCU student while walking off the court," Heeke said in the statement shared by The AP. "I have reached out to TCU's Athletics Department and I spoke with Bennedict. While he does not recall any contact, he has attempted to reach out to the TCU student through their Athletic Department to apologize." 

TCU has not identified the dancer, who seemingly had no immediate reaction to the alleged incident that remains in question. 

Arizona faces the Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!