In the aftermath of [Tuesday’s 75-72 Kansas basketball victory at Texas Tech,][1] there was plenty of talk from the Red Raiders side of things about how a foul could have — or even should have — been called on Kansas late in the game.
It wasn’t. No. 3 Kansas survived its first road test of the Big 12 season. And the Red Raiders were left to ponder what could have been and how close they came to knocking off the 3rd-ranked Jayhawks.
Asked after the game to provide his view of the play in question, which came with Texas Tech trailing 73-72 and less than 20 seconds to play, TTU freshman Pop Isaacs noted that “it was a physical game the whole time.”
“I caught the ball, drove down the middle, there was some contact. There was no call, obviously,” Isaacs said in the postgame meeting with the media. “I really don’t know what to say about it. I think it was a foul, but life’s unfair sometimes.”
The contact occurred when KU sophomore Bobby Pettiford tried to regain position on Isaacs as he drove to his left from the top of the key. Replays showed Pettiford’s chest making contact with Isaacs just before he fell to the ground and Isaacs’ right arm making contact with Pettiford’s hip at around the same time.
Perhaps the dual nature of the contact, with both players initiating some of it, was what led to the no call. That also appeared to be the case just seconds earlier, as Isaacs started to attack, when KU’s Jalen Wilson and Tech’s Daniel Batcho both fell to the through the paint after contact down low. No call there either.
Second-year Tech coach Mark Adams praised Isaac’s handling of the question about whether he thought a foul should have been called.
“Pop said it better than I could,” Adams said. “You know, life is unfair. There was a lot of contact.”
It’s important to note that even if a foul had been called and even if Isaacs would have made the one or two free throws he would have gotten with Texas Tech in the bonus, Kansas still would have had a chance to win the game, either with the score tied at 73 or with KU trailing 74-73. There were between 11 and 12 seconds remaining when the contact occurred.
“That’s a good refereeing crew,” Adams added. “And we were hoping we get that call. It just saddens me for the players that played so hard. They didn’t want this winning streak to come to an end. Our fans have been great. Red Raider nation has been absolutely the best and our guys love playing for the crowd and our fans. It was a very painful time right after the game to talk about that, a lot of tears.”
A similar scenario unfolded late in KU’s home win over Oklahoma State last Saturday, but it did not draw quite as much attention.
Television analysts and tons of people on Twitter questioned whether a Kevin McCullar Jr. block of a layup attempt by OSU’s Bryce Thompson should have been called a foul. It wasn’t. KU won that game by two points and the only mention of it in the postgame was when McCullar said he thought it was a clean block.
It’s only been two games, and there’s still a long way to go, but what we’ve seen so far from the Big 12 officiating crews is that they’re going to let players play and allow some amount of contact, both at the beginning of the game and late when the game may be on the line.
That could change and the whistles could be coming. But if they don’t, and if that’s the style that the Big 12 becomes known for this season — it’s been trending that way in recent seasons anyway — then it’ll be up to the players and coaches to adjust accordingly.
Here’s a closer look at that late play from Tuesday night involving Isaacs and Pettiford.
Kansas forward K.J. Adams Jr. reacts to a dunk against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Texas Tech guard De’Vion Harmon (23) attempts to shoot past Kansas forward Zuby Ejiofor, left, and guard Gradey Dick (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Kansas guard Bobby Pettiford Jr. (0) drives to the basket against Texas Tech forward Daniel Batcho during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) attempts to pass the ball around Texas Tech guard Lamar Washington (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. (15) reacts to a call against Texas Tech during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Texas Tech guard De’Vion Harmon (23) controls the ball against Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Tough possession for the Red Raiders.
Looks like two separate fouls could have been called here on Kansas with Texas Tech down one with seconds remaining.
Foul(s) or no foul? pic.twitter.com/xq49lgVyMO
— Trevor Cobern ???? (@TCobernRRS) January 4, 2023
[1]: https://www2.kusports.com/news/2023/jan/03/3rd-ranked-jayhawks-show-what-theyre-made-tough-gr/