WATCH: Tennessee's Lamonte Turner discusses controversial foul call that sent Purdue game into OT
Tennessee’s comeback against Purdue fell short, as the Boilermakers ended the Vols season in overtime 99-94.
However, the play that everyone’s talking about came at the end of regulation with Tennessee up two points when the officials called a foul on Lamonte Turner as Purdue’s Carsen Edwards was attempting a game-winning three-pointer. Here’s the play if you haven’t seen it.
Edwards went on to hit two of his three free throws to send the game into overtime, where Purdue eventually won it.
Following the game, Turner discussed the foul call with the media, via Trey Wallace.
“So, anytime you try an contest a shot and somebody kicks their leg out, obviously, it makes it harder to contest the shot,” Turner said. “I had been complaining to the refs about that all night. Last play of the game and trying to contest the shot, and he kicks his leg out. … So, I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do right there.”
Lamonte Turner discusses the foul call, on the 3-point attempt at end of regulation. @Vol_Hoops #Sweet16 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/4Zw0LJuHyn
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) March 29, 2019
During Rick Barnes’ post-game press conference, he said Turner committed the foul.
Rick Barnes on the call on Lamonte Turner: "It was a foul. It was a foul. He missed the shot. Lamonte hit him after the shot."
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 29, 2019
I love a Rick Barnes…but…I don’t agree on the foul call. I’d be interested to see if he still believes it was foul today after having a chance to look at it a few times more. Tennessee should have hit their free throws, could have played better defense especially on the back door screens by their big man, but that foul call was horrible. Plenty of bad calls throughout the tournament with a number of teams and games. Sad way to end it.
I thought the call was bogus but that isn’t the biggest problem. I believe the ball went off the shooters legs on the block. Still trying to figure out why his push off to even get open was ignored.