Ohio State was fortunate on Thursday night.
In the final 14 minutes of a back-and-forth contest between the No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes and Rutgers, neither team led by more than three points.
Caleb McConnell made a free throw with five seconds remaining to increase the Scarlet Knights’ advantage to 66-64. McConnell missed his second shot, providing an opening for Ohio State. Tanner Holden launched a long three-pointer, resulting in the first dramatic buzzer-beater of the season in college basketball.
“I believe I saw it go through,” Holden stated. I believe I heard the audience better as a result of your reassurance.
But should it have been recorded?
Jay Bilas, an ESPN college basketball analyst, pointed out a missed call, which may have been difficult to miss at first glance.
“OSU’s Tanner Holden was out of bounds before stepping back in to collect the game-winning ball from Bruce Thornton,” Bilas said on Twitter. “After stepping out of bounds, you cannot be the first to catch the ball. Violation. A difficult break for Rutgers.”
Holden was indeed out of bounds, and it wasn’t even close; both of his feet were completely outside. It might be argued that he was still out of bounds when he caught Thornton’s throw.
It is something the Scarlet Knights will ponder for some time.
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell told reporters, “I thought he went out of bounds, but he scored a tremendous three-pointer and won the game.”
Incredible conclusion to the Rutgers-Ohio State game! Before making the game-winning field goal, OSU’s Tanner Holden stepped out of bounds to collect a ball from Thornton. After stepping out of bounds, you cannot catch the ball first. Violation. A difficult loss for Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/OsdvnREjGk
December 9, 2022 — Jay Bilas (@JayBilas)
Ohio State Buckeyes #0 Tanner Holden hits a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to overcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
The shot counted, as did the Scarlet Knights’ loss, but the game left fans with a buzzer-beater and much to discuss.
»Ohio State’s game-winning field goal against Rutgers sparked debate«