Duke coach Jon Scheyer talks to an official during Duke's 100-93 win over Arizona in the Sweet 16. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Officials in Duke-Arizona game roasted by fans

Originally posted on Arizona Wildcats on SI
By Ben Sherman | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 1:38 AM ET

Duke and Arizona staged a high-level college basketball performance on Thursday night in an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game in Newark, New Jersey.

Unfortunately, the officials did not rise to the occasion.

From soft, unnecessary whistles to inconsistent application of the rules, the officiating crew of Lee Cassell, Michael Greenstein and Keith Kimbell bombed in Duke's 100-93 victory over Arizona.

There were 46 fouls called in the game — 24 on Arizona and 22 on Duke. Two players fouled out and four players finished with four fouls. And the calls significantly impacted the game.

Arizona point guard Jaden Bradley picked up two soft fouls in less than nine minutes and went to the bench with 11:23 left in the first half and Arizona trailing 17-16. Duke went on a 6-0 run as soon as Bradley went to the bench.

Duke big man Khaman Maluach picked up his second foul with 11:13 left in the first half, then his replacement, Patrick Ngongba II, picked up two fouls in just over 3 minutes.

It all added up to a ton of stoppages in play, 50 total free throws and the best players not on the floor.

The most glaring error came on a missed hook-and-hold call in the second half. Ngongba II clearly pulled Arizona's Henri Veesaar to the ground, and should have been assessed a flagrant 1 technical foul. After reviewing the play, the officials left it as a common foul.

That is a clear hook and hold and needs to be enforced as such. No clue how they came away with common foul
— OfficiatingObserver17 (@RefObserver17) March 28, 2025

How is this a common foul when he hooked him and swung him to the ground lmao duke getting bailed out again pic.twitter.com/WFOOHAe5ZZ
— John (@iam_johnw) March 28, 2025

A flagrant 1 was called minutes earlier on Arizona when Bradley pulled Duke's Kom Knueppel to the floor.

How was this a common foul when just a min before it was a flagrant 1 on Bradley? https://t.co/iPQP7h9kbw
— Brandon Hudspeth (@azwildcatsfan81) March 28, 2025

Fans from both teams were not happy with the refs, and they let them have it on social media. Here's the reaction from Arizona and Duke fans to the horrendous officiating.

#Duke and #Arizona are caught in the middle of a good old fashioned #MarchMadness ref fest. Every single thing is a foul, the game has no pace, and the officials are calling the game like the crowd paid to see them. Ridiculous to put this out on the #NCAA’s biggest stage.
— Nick Marino (@NickMarino_) March 28, 2025

I'm not sure I've seen a worse reffed game in a while. These #Duke #Arizona officials are ALL over the place. Wildly inconsistent. Phantom calls. Blatant no-calls. Etc.
— Justin Kinney (@justinr_kinney) March 28, 2025

These refs of the Duke vs Arizona game are definitely getting investigated.

One of the worst officiated games I've ever seen.

Kon was just hooked and thrown down right in front of them and it's a potential three point play. ‍♂️
— Chris Moody (@cnmoody) March 28, 2025

THIS DUKE WHISTLE IS INSANE
— Storrs South (@UConn6thBorough) March 28, 2025

Duke fans and Arizona fans coming together hoping to see the refs swallow the whistle and actually let the players decide this game pic.twitter.com/biZDxRsKsq
— Kon Knueppel SZN (@MikeHoopsPage) March 28, 2025