Social media reacts to officiating during West Virginia vs. Iowa game
By Joseph Smith
As West Virginia women's basketball bowed out of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night in a hard-fought contest with Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
One of the biggest disparities on the stat sheet at the end of the game was in the foul category -- West Virginia finished the night with 27 personal fouls as opposed to Iowa's 11 personal fouls, and shot just five free throws to Iowa's 30 free throws. Folks within the West Virginia community quickly took notice on social media, including West Virginia head football coach Neal Brown.
I don’t say much about officiating. But that was atrocious. The NCAA should be embarrassed for assembling that crew for a second round tournament game. Wow.
— Bill Nevin (@wvubandvoice) March 26, 2024
Free throws say it all. Iowa had 30. WVU had 5.
— James (@mountaineerjdub) March 26, 2024
Loved watching you compete all year. Team had grit and toughness! 👀 free throw comparison tonight?! https://t.co/6COaEbSNlM pic.twitter.com/gN8VImbqxM
— Neal Brown (@NealBrown_WVU) March 26, 2024
But it wasn't just those who support WVU who took notice -- many national figures, including NBA star Damian Lillard, also appeared to be unhappy with the officiating in the game.
I feel like West Virginia women’s team getting did bad by these refs.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 26, 2024
5 free throw vs 30 free throws
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) March 26, 2024
11 fouls vs 27 fouls..
Come on man we want to see basketball not a ref show https://t.co/UZ6ptuXQU7
West Virginia is getting jobbed by these refs
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 26, 2024