UNC fans are furious after a lane violation was called on the Tar Heels in the waning seconds of the ACC Tournament semifinal against the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils.
Senior forward Jae’Lyn Withers was called for the foul, wiping away a free throw made by junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin that would have tied the game at 72 a piece. Instead, the Blue Devils took over, sinking two free throws to give Duke a 74-71 lead and a spot in the ACC Tournament final.
UNC Fans in Disbelief After Lane Violation Ends ACC Tournament Run
Hoop Herald, a social media account that posts basketball content, said the call was something they’d never seen before, in a post on X.
“Investigate this game right now,” the account wrote. “We have NEVER seen this. What was even the plan here? Withers with an insane lane violation with their season on the line.”
The post garnered over 3,400 likes and 300 comments.
Investigate this game right now
We have NEVER seen this
What was even the plan here?
Withers with an insane lane violation with their season on the line
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) March 15, 2025
Many fans agreed with Hoop Herald, calling the violation “ridiculous,” with some debating whether a conspiracy was at hand to hit the spread and under on the matchup.
Others said there was no reason for an investigation.
“What’s to be investigated?” X user BobbyBrewer20 replied. “Withers didn’t think he would make the throw was trying to get an offensive rebound went early and game over. Doesn’t take a PI to figure it out just knowledge of the game.”
The call wiped out an incredible comeback attempt from the Tar Heels, as they battled their way back into the game from a 24-point second-half deficit with a 43-20 run in the final 16 minutes. It may also be the end for the 22-13, 13-7 Tar Heels.
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With a 1-12 Quad 1 record, UNC currently sits as one of the first four out, according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s projections.
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