Controversial call helps fuel late Kansas win over TCU

A controversial call involving big man Hunter Dickinson changed the complexion of a Big 12 conference basketball game between Kansas and TCU.

The play in question occurred with about a minute remaining and TCU leading 79-77.

A loose ball came up quite high and TCU’s Ernest Udeh Jr. skied to rebound it. When he came down with the ball his arm flailed out and hit Dickinson, who was behind him. Dickinson dropped to the floor and officials quickly whistled play dead as TCU took the ball up the court.

CBS’ rules expert Gene Steratore didn’t view the situation as anything more than a common foul.

“I don’t feel to me that that doesn’t fall in the flagrant category, in my opinion,” Steratore said. “I just think it’s an arm that’s coming down and a normal basketball play. It does hit up in the head and neck area, so they definitely will look, but to me it doesn’t look like anything that was delivered in that sense. So it doesn’t fall in that category to me.”

The officials did not see things the same way. They ruled it a flagrant foul, sending Dickinson to the line for two free throws. He made both, tying the game.

Then Kansas was rewarded with the ensuing possession thanks to the flagrant, and the Jayhawks promptly converted it into a go-ahead bucket, fully capitalizing on the controversial call.

It was a minimum of a four-point swing on the controversial call, perhaps more had the officials let TCU play through the foul. But Steratore explained officials were right to halt play with a potential head injury.

“You know what, you kind of have to. You kind of have to stop that, but I know what you’re saying,” Steratore told the commentators on the broadcast. “At the point of the outlet, though, when (No.) 0 grabs the ball and turns and looks back in the backcourt, you’re not in the that number, fast-break scenario there. He kind of pulls up so maybe that’s when they hit that whistle, right at that point. I think you’ve got to hit it, though.”

You can view the foul below.

TCU was up 79-77 with the ball, time winding down.

Then this was called a flagrant after Hunter Dickinson made his acting debut.

Kansas hit both free throws to tie it 79-79 and got the ball.

Kansas survives at home. pic.twitter.com/QlFC9GsTyR

— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) January 6, 2024

TCU would prove unable to overcome the big late swing caused by the controversial call, ultimately falling 83-81.

There was at least one person who agreed with the call on the floor, though, even though the CBS broadcast crew and Steratore didn’t think it should be a flagrant.

“I know the guys on site and Gene Steratore disagree but I think that’s the right call by rule,” said Seth Davis, a long-time college basketball reporter. “It was certainly unintentional but he was clearing space and popped Dickinson in the face. If Kansas wins the play will be much discussed.”