Big Ten admits missed call that would have prevented Tanner Holden buzzer beater
COLUMBUS — The Big Ten released a statement Friday, admitting that its officiating crew missed a call Thursday night in the final seconds of Ohio State’s dramatic, 67-66 win over Rutgers that would have ruled the ball dead before Tanner Holden got a chance to attempt his buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Here’s the complete statement from the Big Ten:
“During regulation play, an OSU student-athlete passed the ball to a teammate who had drifted out of bounds and returned to the court to complete the game-winning shot. The action of stepping out of bounds and being the first player to touch the ball after returning inbounds constituted a violation of NCAA Rule 9, Section 3, Article 1. The play should have been stopped, and the ball ruled dead.
“The officiating crew that was on the court is one of the best in the country but unfortunately missed the call. The Big Ten Conference takes officiating very seriously and has addressed the matter with both member institutions and the officiating crew. Additionally, the conference will be providing added education and rule reinforcement to our basketball officials.”
Here is the full rule that’s referenced above, as described in the NCAA’s latest rulebook:
Section 3. Player Out of Bounds.
1. A player who steps out of bounds under the player’s own volition and then becomes the first player to touch the ball after returning to the playing court has committed a violation.
a. A violation has not been committed when a player, who steps out of bounds as permitted by Rule 7-4.6.b, does not receive the pass along the end line from a teammate and is the first to touch the ball after returning to the playing court.
b. A player whose momentum causes that player to go out of bounds may be the first to touch the ball inbounds if that player reestablishes one foot inbounds prior to touching the ball.
Regardless, the violation wasn’t called. Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell wasn’t happy and got the answer he was looking for Friday.
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“I spoke to the Big Ten offices, and they acknowledged that mistakes were made,” Pikiell told the Asbury Park Press Friday. “We’re going to move forward to Seton Hall now.”
Then the Big Ten released its statement confirming the mistake. As seen above, though, the statement focuses on Holden’s violation, not Bruce Thornton stepping out of bounds before his pass to Holden.
Holden explained postgame he didn’t know he, himself, was out of bounds on the play.
“Thankfully, they didn’t call that,” he said before beaming a smile postgame.
“No changing it now.”
It’s Ohio State’s first walk-off, no time left, game-winner since Evan Turner hit one to beat Michigan in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament.
