The refs seemingly had a quick whistle in Providence on Saturday afternoon, and after two calls in the second half — including one that ended Kadary Richmond’s night — of St. John’s second-round loss to Arkansas, one CBS analyst was none too pleased.
Richmond attempted to defend when Karter Knox passed up a 3-point shot and drove toward the basket with just under seven minutes remaining, but despite appearing to hold his ground defensively, he was whistled for the foul.
“That’s not a foul,” CBS analyst Steve Lappas said. “I’m sorry. That’s a no-call.”
Kadary Richmond gets called for a foul during the St. John’s game against Arkansas on March 22. Screengrab via X/@CBSSportsEarlier in the half, with a little over 13 minutes left, Dajuan Wagner Jr. of Arkansas missed a 3-point attempt, and St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor tried to box out under the glass for a rebound.
But as the ball careened toward the floor, a whistle came and a shocked Ejiofor was called for a foul.
After seeing the play unfold, Lappas gave anther brutally honest assessment of the call in the Round of 32.
“Wow! In this kinda game, I’m sorry, that’s not a good call,” Lappas said.
Zuby Ejiofor gets called for a foul when trying to rebound during the St. John’s game March 22. Screengrab via X/@awfulannouncing
Steve Lappas is pictured while broadcasting Marquette’s game against DePaul in January 2024. Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe whistles were coming fast and furious in the second half against both teams, and with 11:58 to go in the final half, the Razorbacks’ Zvonimir Ivisic fouled out of the contest to put Arkansas in a precarious spot.
With 7:57 left, there were 16 total fouls called in the second half.
