The NCAA tournament’s first buzzer-beater was featured during the Maryland vs. Colorado State game.
The Terrapins survived a scare thanks to freshman sensation Derik Queen, who sent them to the Sweet 16 with a buzzer-beater down by one.
However, there was controversy on both sides.
Late in the first half, Nique Clifford elbowed Maryland forward Jordan Geronimo at the top of the key, but somehow, the refs missed it and didn’t even review it.
CBS referee expert Gene Steratore admitted that the refs blew that call.
Steratore added that it could’ve even been a Flagrant two foul worthy of an ejection.
— Evan DoubleU (@evandoubleu) March 24, 2025
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NCAA stories via Google! Follow Us
That might not have been the worst non-call of the night.
Maryland may have gotten away with a violation on the game’s final play. Derik Queen hit a buzzer-beater.
After the broadcast showed replays of the moment, viewers began debating whether the play shouldn’t have counted due to Queen potentially traveling.
DERIK QUEEN FTW 😱
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/06QRH6eK3R
Fans Call Out The Refs That Worked Maryland vs. Colorado State
During a time when all games have been stopped due to multiple reviews, refs during the game between Maryland and Colorado State decided to relax on their whistle and let things play out.
That led to an elbow being throw that wasn’t called and Derik Queen potentially getting away with a travel on the final play.
Fans made it clear that the refs should be fired.
“But he said it was an accident, so it is fine. 🤦♂️,” one fan said of the missed elbow call.
But he said it was an accident so it is fine. 🤦♂️
— Craig Milkowski (@CraigMilkowski) March 24, 2025
“He should have been ejected,” another fan stated of the Colorado State player.
He should have been ejected
— H C (@YorkSports12) March 24, 2025
“Colorado State got robbed.. travel,” another fan said of the final play.
Colorado State got robbed.. travel pic.twitter.com/9CNSu8M01V
— Petre🐦 (@lil_Petre) March 24, 2025
“He grabbed that ball and said, I’m going to take 3 steps and they won’t call it….,” a fan stated of the refs thinking process.
He grabbed that ball and said, I’m going to take 3 steps and they won’t call it….
— Luke Mitchell 🇺🇸 (@mitchbluke) March 24, 2025
One final fan added: “He walked. I didn’t care who won. He took 3 large steps. Others say it 4 steps.”
He walked. I didn't care who won. He took 3 large steps. Others say it 4 steps.
— Jeff Kessler (@Kessler152) March 24, 2025
Also Read: Jayden Daniels’ Mother Getting Blasted For Her Weird Behavior During NCAA Tournament Game
