In a week of buzzer-beaters — from last-second runners to desperation heaves — the most controversial finish occurred at Purdue’s Mackey Arena on Saturday, leading the Big Ten office to issue an apology Tuesday for a rule misinterpretation.
In the end of the first overtime between intrastate rivals Indiana and Purdue, the Hoosiers took a two-point lead, 63-61, after two successful free throws by Marshall Strickland with 0.9 seconds remaining.
With the game seemingly sealed, Purdue’s Andrew Ford launched a full-court pass that fell into the hands of Carl Landry, who spun around and made a layup, evening the game at 63. He was fouled in the process.
Officials then checked the replay, and although they saw Landry clearly released the ball after the buzzer, they counted the bucket anyway and awarded Landry a free throw. Indiana coach Mike Davis ripped off his jacket in fury.
The referees determined Landry had been fouled before the horn, and they decided anything after the foul would have been considered part of the play’s continuation. On Tuesday, the Big Ten acknowledged the referees were wrong.
“According to the 2005 NCAA Basketball Rules and Interpretations (Rule 2-5.2.b, Rule 5-7.2.b, Rule 6-6.2), the Purdue player should have been granted two free throws with no time on the clock and the field goal should not have counted,” the statement said.
But it didn’t matter. Landry missed his free throw that would have given Purdue the victory, and Indiana prevailed in double overtime, 75-73.
THIRTY-EIGHT AND COUNTING… BARELY
It may not have the majesty and tradition of Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse or the intimidating aura of Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, but in the past two years, Wisconsin’s Kohl Center has been as inhospitable to visitors as any venue in college basketball.
The Badgers haven’t lost at home since Dec. 4, 2002, when Wake Forest beat them 90-80. Their 38-game home winning streak is currently the longest in Division I, and the team is 26-0 in conference home games under coach Bo Ryan.
The Badgers used all the magic they could get out of their home court on Sunday when they eked out a victory against Michigan State. The Spartans led by eight, 59-51, with only two minutes remaining, but Wisconsin ended the game on an 11-0 run to win 62-59.
“It certainly has been friendly,” Ryan said about the Kohl Center. “Our fans have been … hearty and they’ve certainly exuded a lot of energy that our players have taken in.”
The Badgers’ next home game should draw national attention. Illinois rolls into town Tuesday for a nationally televised clash between ranked teams — Wisconsin recently entered the Associated Press poll at No. 24, while Illinois was voted No. 1 for the seventh straight week.
LAST HURRAH, ONLY NOT
Purdue coach Gene Keady’s farewell tour has taken more than a few bumps this year.
In his 25th and final season at Purdue, Keady’s Boilermakers stand 4-11 overall and 0-5 in conference play. It was enough to make the coach say, tongue-in-cheek, that he had regrets about coming back this season.
“My plan right now is to win a Big Ten game,” Keady cracked when asked about his after-retirement plans. “I’m not sure we can. So that’s what I would like to do before I get out of here.
“I knew there were going to be a lot of people (who would) beat up on me before I got out of this league. I just didn’t want it to be in one year.”
Reach Anthony Tao at [email protected].
