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Tennessee, Purdue fans blast poor officiating from top 10 battle at Maui Invitational
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It was an ugly night in Hawaii on Tuesday as Purdue escaped Tennessee 71-67 in the semifinal of the Maui Invitational.
Between the two teams, there were 52 fouls called in the game. Purdue shot 48 free throws and Tennessee shot 30. Both of the Vols’ big men, Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka fouled out of the game, and 4 other players across both teams had 4 fouls.
With elite big man Zach Edey in foul trouble, Fletcher Loyer led the way for Purdue with 27 points, while Edey had 23. It was the transfer show for Tennessee once again as Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey combined for 31 points.
Now Purdue will play Marquette in the Maui Invitational championship game, while Tennessee will face Kansas for third place. The Vols and Jayhawks tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET and the Boilermakers and Golden Eagles tip off at 5 p.m.
It’s safe to say fans from both sides were upset with officiating, and many took to social media after the game to blast the tightly-called game.
Good morning, I was just whistled for a foul by the refs from the Tennessee-Purdue game
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) November 22, 2023
The refs in the Tennessee Purdue game when it comes to making the game about them pic.twitter.com/5ROOl4seQe
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) November 22, 2023
Refs when Tennessee plays Purdue in any sport: pic.twitter.com/nQaho7r5c1
— Lace✨ (@lace_jay_bee) November 22, 2023
The refs in this Tennessee-Purdue game need to get their heads level. It's a highly competitive matchup between two top-10 teams and the crew looks a tad outclassed at the moment.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) November 22, 2023
The refs in the Tennessee-Purdue game should be fired bro this game is so unserious?
— Bryson (@BrysonWright3) November 22, 2023
The refs in this Tennessee v Purdue game are struggling.
Like me trying to do home repair-level struggling.— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) November 22, 2023
Death, taxes, and officials handing games to Purdue when they play Tennessee
— Austin B (@Austin_Vols) November 22, 2023
https://twitter.com/KingoftheSEC/status/1727174200748810290
btw i wouldnt worry too much about Tennessee losing today..
For one. It's basketball. Ish happens.
Secondly. in a game where refs take the game over, it becomes unpredictable. Can't really play your brand of basketball.
also that was disgusting. 100 fouls, half of them werent
— SullenSerf (@SullenSerf) November 22, 2023
The refs in Tennessee vs Purdue called 51 fouls and the teams had 78 free throws.
UConn v Texas last night was 28 fouls and 31 free throws.
Insane amount if whistles tonight. Total zebra show.
— ???Edel™️??? (@LawAndFooty) November 22, 2023
Even Tennessee athletics director Danny White and Purdue President Mung Chiang had thoughts on the officials.
We must not be watching the same game. https://t.co/d15Qim03Mo
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) November 22, 2023
