Sports

College Basketball Ref Creates Disorder As Accidental Moving Screen Takes Out 2 Illinois Defenders

#Jeffrey Anderson
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College basketball referee Jeffrey Anderson runs the floor.

© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images


College basketball referee Jeffrey Anderson angered a pair of Illinois hoopers on Wednesday with an accidental moving screen that provided an easy look for a Rutgers shooter. It was just one frustrating moment of a tough night for the Fighting Illini.

The Scarlet Knights entered the game as a 6.5-point underdog. They’d leave with a nine-point win.

Rutgers jumped out to a quick start, building a 23-6 lead over the first 10 minutes of play. Things got a bit more competitive after that. Illinois pulled to within six near the start of the second half.

They’d hoped to inch closer with a defensive stop and another bucket. Unfortunately, Jeffrey Anderson got in the way!

Rutgers guard Ace Bailey drove towards the baseline as a pair of Illinois defenders tracked. Anderson somehow got caught up in the traffic. He accidentally screened not one, but both of the Illini players. It led to an easy two-point shot that helped the Scarlet Knights build upon their lead.

A slowed down look at the play shows the reaction from Illini players. They were in a state of complete confusion.

Both Illinois defenders shook their heads at Anderson. Interestingly enough, it’s not the first time he’s caused chaos on the court. Earlier this season while calling a game between Oregon State and Gonzaga, he unintentionally played lock-down defense during a crucial moment in the action.

Luckily, it didn’t have an impact on the outcome. This two-point bucket from Rutgers likely didn’t matter much in the grand scheme of things, either.

Guard Dylan Harper was the catalyst of the Scarlet Knights’ upset win, scoring a game-high 28 points in his return from injury. Bailey added a double-double with 11 boards and 18 points – thanks to a little help from Jeffrey Anderson.

Rutgers improved to 12-11 on the year while Illinois fell to 15-8. Both continue to battle for positioning in the Big Ten standings.