Kyle Guy made three free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining to advance Virginia to their first National Championship Game appearance in school history with a 63-62 win over Auburn.
The win was not without controversy, as Virginia was gifted by a questionable foul as Guy shot a desperation three from the corner that missed. However, Guy was contacted by Auburn’s Samir Doughty, drawing the foul. The questionable call was met with a large chorus of boos from the pro-underdog crowd in Minneapolis.
Guy made all three free throws, and Auburn was unable to score on a desperation heave at the buzzer.
Lost in the questionable call was the fact officials made a hugely incorrect no-call in the waning moments.
As Jerome brought the ball up the floor with Virginia trailing 62-60, he lost control of the basketball as it bounced off his foot. He collected the loose ball and started a new dribble.
Auburn, who at the time had a foul to give, fouled Jerome quickly to force the controversial play that would occur with Guy being foul in the corner. However, Jerome should have been called for double-dribble.
If officials had correctly called double-dribble, Auburn would have been awarded the ball with less than two seconds drastically changing the final and more than likely the outcome of the game.
Virginia appeared to be cruising to a blowout victory as they led 57-47 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Then, Jerome, who led Virginia with 21 points, was called for fouls on back-to-back defensive possessions. The second a frustration foul 3/4 the length of the floor was his fourth after he felt officials missed a foul on his missed shot the previous possession.
Jerome went to the bench and Auburn went on a relentless run, scoring 14 unanswered points to storm back to a 61-57 lead with 17 seconds remaining. The tide of the game completely changed, and it looked as if Virginia was in store for a monumental collapse.
Guy answered with a three-pointer to stop the 14-0 run and cut the deficit to 61-60. Then Virginia fouled Jared Harper with 7.4 seconds remaining. Harper made the first but missed the second. Virginia got the rebound leading to Jerome’s missed double-dribble and eventually Guy’s three made free throws after the questionable foul at the end of the game.
Auburn has the right to be upset with the conclusion of the game. They also can look back to the missed opportunity at the free throw line. Nonetheless, Virginia is advancing to Monday’s championship game, with another lifeline.
