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The Ohio State Buckeyes pulled out an incredible win over conference rival Rutgers on Thursday night, culminating with a buzzer beating shot from Tanner Holden. According to one notable college basketball personality, though, that final basket shouldn’t have counted.
Jay Bilas posted about the exciting finish on his Twitter account following the conclusion of the contest. The officiating crew appears to have missed a crucial call in the waning moments of action.
The Buckeyes trailed by two points as the final seconds ticked from the clock. Bruce Thornton dribbled the ball past midcourt before dishing it out to Holden for a game-ending heave.
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The prayers were answered as the ball swished through the bottom of the net to give OSU a 67-66 lead, but Holden’s position on the court has caused that game-winning bucket to become controversial.
Bilas posted the following message after the stunning finish.
Amazing finish in Rutgers-Ohio State! Before hitting the game winner, OSU’s Tanner Holden was out of bounds before stepping back in to catch the Thornton pass. After stepping OB, you can’t be the first to catch it. Violation. Tough break for Rutgers.
He appears to be correct, too.
Since Holden drifts out of play on his own accord, he shouldn’t be allowed to immediate touch the ball. The rule reads as follows.
A player who steps out of bounds under the players’ own volition and then becomes the first player to touch the ball after returning to the playing court has committed a violation.
The rule is a little grey, and momentum can play into the official’s ruling, but based on the language referenced by Bilas, it seems the Buckeyes might’ve gotten away with one. Tough break for Rutgers in its attempt to knock off a ranked conference foe.
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