The Wisconsin Badgers and the Michigan State Spartans are facing off in the semifinal of the Big Ten Tournament.
Debate Breaks Out Over No Goaltending Call in Wisconsin-Michigan State
The Spartans held a four-point lead over the Badgers with just over five minutes to go in the first half when a strange play led to a controversial no-call. Michigan State center Carsen Cooper threw an errant pass that missed his teammate, hitting the ref in the foot and keeping the ball in bounds.
Just as everyone on the court stopped moving, thinking that the play was dead, Wisconsin guard John Blackwell picked up the ball, looking for an easy score on the other end. The only Spartans player to notice that the ball was still in play, Jaden Akins, chased down Blackwell with an emphatic chase-down block.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED!
The ball hits the ref’s ankle, Blackwell scoops it up, and Jaden Akins comes out of NOWHERE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ziTzejnRyK
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 15, 2025
Viewers quickly took to social media to emphasize that Blackwell’s basket should have counted as a “clear goaltend.” The CBS broadcast showed a replay of the Atkins block, which clearly showed that the ball hit the backboard before the guard got his hand on it.
The play could not be reviewed since there was no initial call on the floor; however, if the refs did call a goaltend, they would have been allowed to review the call in replay.
The victor of this game will play the winner between Maryland and Michigan for the Big Ten Championship tomorrow at 1 p.m.
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