Arizona Apologizes for Fans’ Derogatory Chant Aimed at BYU
In the world of college basketball, emotions can run high, and sometimes, they spill over in ways that are less than ideal. This was the case on Saturday night when the University of Arizona found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Following a nail-biting 96-95 upset by BYU over the No. 19 Wildcats in Tucson, a derogatory chant from the Arizona fans aimed at BYU marred the evening.
As the BYU players exited the floor, video footage captured Wildcats fans chanting an expletive followed by “Mormons,” a direct reference to BYU’s affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This incident capped off a game that was already filled with tension, thanks to controversial foul calls and heated exchanges between coaches and players.
In response to the incident, Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois issued a statement apologizing to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches, and fans. “Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred,” she said. “On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened.”
Game Highlights and Controversial Calls
The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the McKale Center buzzing with energy. Arizona’s Caleb Love seemed to have scored and drawn a foul with just 12.5 seconds left on the clock. However, the officials ruled that he wasn’t in the act of shooting when the foul occurred. This decision was based on the NCAA’s official rule book, which states that “the act of shooting begins simultaneously with the start of the try and ends when the ball is clearly in flight.” Unlike the NBA, college basketball does not have a continuation rule.
Despite the ruling, Love managed to sink both free throws, giving Arizona a 95-94 lead. But the drama was far from over. On the other end, a foul was called on Arizona’s Trey Townsend, sending BYU’s Richie Saunders to the free-throw line. Saunders coolly made both shots with just 3.2 seconds remaining, securing a 96-95 victory for BYU.
Post-Game Reactions
The tension didn’t end with the final buzzer. Players from both teams had to be separated as they approached the handshake line, a testament to the intensity of the game.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd didn’t hold back in his post-game comments, criticizing the foul call that led to BYU’s game-winning free throws. “It’s a bad call. I mean like, whatever. What am I going to say?” Lloyd expressed his frustration. “You hate for a game to be decided by that. I mean, [Townsend], I feel horrible for him. Guy didn’t play in the second half. I tightened the rotation. He played good defense. [Saunders] is pivoting, pivoting, pivoting. Throws his shoulder at him. Throws up a shot and falls down. It’s a foul with two seconds to go. Listen, it’s the Big 12. That’s what I’m told. And the guy who called it is one of the best refs. So, we’ve got to live with it. But step back. They scored 93 points up to that point on our home court. That’s the problem.”
Key Takeaways
- Arizona’s athletic department issued an apology for the derogatory chant directed at BYU.
- The game was marked by controversial foul calls and a dramatic finish.
- BYU secured a 96-95 victory with clutch free throws by Richie Saunders.
- Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd criticized the officiating but acknowledged defensive issues.
In the end, this game will be remembered not just for its thrilling conclusion but also for the unfortunate incident involving the fans. It’s a reminder of the passion and intensity that college basketball can evoke, and the responsibility that comes with it.
Originally Written by: Myron Medcalf
