Brad Brownell reacts to controversial Viktor Lakhin technical foul, makes clear statement on call

Clemson spent most of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game playing from behind against McNeese. They nearly pulled off the win too, with the final difference being just two points. But the Tigers played a big portion of the second half without one of their top players, Viktor Lakhin.

With six minutes remaining, a technical foul was called on Lakhin. Not too much seemed to be in the play but Lakhin did appear to be in the face of an opposing player. A personal foul he just picked up made it No. 4 and the technical was enough to disqualify the 6-11 big-man.

Brad Brownell was asked about the moment postgame, giving his honest reaction. He wanted to make sure there was nothing chippy going on throughout the game as McNeese would hold the advantage there. Overall, Brownell was “disappointed” to see the call be made.

“Yeah, I’m disappointed in that,” Brownell said. “I just talked to my guys and I made a big deal to our team about not getting involved in any woofing today, and that was very disappointing. I think the second guy got caught. Obviously it was a very inopportune time for that call. Disappointed but, you know, things happen.”

Lakhin left the game without his best performance. He has finished in double-figure scoring more times than not this season but only got six points vs. McNeese. Ten rebounds is something Clemson will take every game but his presence was certainly missed down the stretch.

Clemson was down 13 points at the time of the technical foul. McNeese wound up making two of three from the line in the ensuing free throws — one of the technical and another for the personal on Lakhin. In a one-possession final score, every point was valuable.

“I don’t know about that,” color commentator Steve Lappas said in the moment. “Wow, I don’t know. I mean, come on. That’s a really tough call. I mean, it wasn’t like they were pushing, shoving. Alright someone says something — it’s basketball. You talk sometimes in basketball.”

Unfortunately, Lakhin will not get an opportunity to make amends this season. Clemson’s year is done due to the first-round loss, being around a year removed from an Elite Eight run. A disappointing way to end what was a good season for the Tigers, winning a best-ever 27 games and earning its highest seed in the NCAA Tournament since 2018.