In a moment that sparked nationwide debate, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith unleashed his fury on NCAA officials following Duke’s heartbreaking Final Four loss to Houston. Smith’s pointed criticism centered on a controversial over-the-back foul call against freshman phenom Cooper Flagg in the game’s final seconds.
The April 5, 2025, matchup at the Alamodome saw Duke’s championship dreams crushed when officials whistled Flagg for a decisive foul after his missed jumper. Smith’s immediate reaction was something to behold.
The Game-Changing Call That Ended Duke’s Season
With Duke trailing 68-67 and just eight seconds remaining, Flagg’s potential go-ahead jumper rimmed out. In the scramble for the rebound, officials whistled Flagg for an over-the-back foul on Houston’s Jamal Shead with 5.2 seconds left.
That was an absolute horrible foul call vs Cooper Flagg. No way. No way.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 6, 2025
The call, which many analysts deemed questionable upon replay review, allowed Shead to hit two crucial free throws, extending Houston’s lead to 70-67. Duke’s final 3-point attempt missed at the buzzer, cementing a stunning defeat that halted their championship pursuit.
Flagg’s remarkable performance — 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks — was overshadowed by the controversial ending. Hours earlier, the freshman standout had received college basketball’s highest individual honor, becoming just the fourth freshman ever to win the Wooden Award.
A Pattern of Controversial Officiating
Smith’s outburst follows a tournament already marked by officiating debates. During Duke’s Elite Eight win over Alabama on March 29, fans raised concerns about foul disparities, while their Sweet 16 matchup against Arizona included a non-call that led to officials not advancing to the next round.
The Final Four call added to ongoing scrutiny of NCAA tournament officiating. Houston’s physical style of play — drawing an average of 18 fouls per game this season — made consistent officiating difficult, especially in the closing minutes.
Smith, who days earlier had called Flagg “special” and described Duke as “a juggernaut,” became a prominent voice in the refereeing discussion. His status as ESPN’s highest-paid commentator brought added attention, with his post drawing more than 45,000 likes within hours.
Despite the loss, Flagg’s tournament performance solidified his place as the projected top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, earning both the Wooden Award and AP Player of the Year honors.
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As Houston moved on to face Florida in the national championship, attention shifted from their comeback — scoring seven points in 16 seconds — to the foul call that many, including Smith, believe affected the outcome of the game.
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