Twitter reacts to questionable officiating in Iowa’s national championship loss
Ultimately, the LSU Tigers should be commended for capturing the program’s first national championship in a 102-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. That part of the story can’t get lost in translation and forgotten.
After the Hawkeyes attempted to charge back in the third quarter, key shots from Alexis Morris, LaDazhia Williams and Angel Reese, LSU’s biggest stars, stymied it. Iowa cut down a 21-point deficit early in the third quarter to seven on several instances. But, those three made shots that put Iowa away for good.
That was the story in the first half, too. LSU built what proved an insurmountable 59-42 halftime edge.
As Iowa’s two biggest stars, superstar guard Caitlin Clark and big Monika Czinano, were limited by foul trouble in the first half. In their absence, LSU’s secondary players stole the show.
Jasmine Carson caught lightning in a bottle in the first half, shooting 7-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from 3-point range to register 21 points off the bench. That proved the difference.
So, none of that should be forgotten.
But, the national reaction shows that this game will not be talked about without a serious critique of the officiating as well.
It resulted in Czinano missing a large chunk of the first half and fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Clark sat to close the first half as well.
Then, there was the technical foul on Clark that had folks pulling out their hair. Here’s a look at the reaction to the officiating that become one of the big storylines.
Can Kim Mulkey exit the floor?
Somebody tell the refs that Kim Mulkey isn’t allowed to be on the court
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) April 2, 2023
Connor weighs in on the officiating early
These refs are SO not ready for this moment. Good god they are brutal
— Connor McCaffery (@connor_m30) April 2, 2023
Just give her a whistle
Might as well just give Kim Mulchey a whistle
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 2, 2023
An abomination?
Kim Mulkey is literally standing on the court–10 feet away from Iowa's guards.
This is an absolute abomination of officiating for both teams.
These are the best the NCAA has to offer?
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) April 2, 2023
Ruined it
Hope these officials never get another game in their lifetime.
Opportunity to grow the game to levels like it's never seen, break TV records and the entire conversation is about officiating.
Hope there's an investigation after this game.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) April 2, 2023
Refs even took it away from Jasmine Carson
gotta feel sorry for the refs here, they got angel reese and caitlin clark out of the game so they could have the spotlight to themselves then jasmine carson showed up
— ugh (@838_carlisle) April 2, 2023
Cooper DeJean is not amused
— Cooper DeJean (@cdejean23) April 2, 2023
Could she?
Meanwhile I’m pretty sure Kim Mulkey could walk straight to center court with a flamethrower and they’d just politely tell her to move back.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 2, 2023
Make this crew accountable
This is why officials should be required to give post-game interviews
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) April 2, 2023
How does this get whistled?
Caitlin Clark is whistled for a technical foul for this reaction.
During a national championship game.
There have been bad officiating calls before.
This is the worst. pic.twitter.com/ufA120isf2
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 2, 2023
Never has been!
Never been a T EVER https://t.co/mTPRaFhXW4
— Connor McCaffery (@connor_m30) April 2, 2023
Found out who could stop Clark
None of these officials should be allowed near a big basketball game ever again. But at least we found out who can stop Caitlin Clark. Them.
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) April 2, 2023
You know it's bad when...
I'd like to personally apologize to Courtney Green.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) April 2, 2023
A bit extreme, but...
These refs deserve jail time for taking Caitlin out of the national championship game
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) April 2, 2023
And at what cost
Can't even estimate what the refs have cost NCAA today from a business standpoint today with their sorry performance.
– Cost viewers chance to see Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese.
– Probably cost ABC a TV record for women's national championship.
– Cost NCAA millions in media rights.— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) April 2, 2023
It's too bad
It's really too bad that a game that will have a huge audience and potentially help to grow the women's game has been taken over by officials. I hope Lisa Bluder takes the gloves off after the game.
— Tom Kakert (@HawkeyeReport) April 2, 2023
Let them hear it
Lisa Bluder absolutely should call these refs out in the presser. The University of Iowa needs to pick up the tab.
— Joe Hugen (@Joe_Hugen) April 2, 2023
Get in there!
LSU/Iowa Refs before the game pic.twitter.com/LmXii9rWvD
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 2, 2023
How has this not happened?
Sitting right behind Kim Mulkey, I have no clue how she hasn't gotten a tech so far
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 2, 2023
Leading the parade
This is awkward: the NCAA title game refs will be Grand Marshals of LSU’s national championship parade back in Baton Rouge
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 2, 2023
Can't let it take away
Not the way we wanted this game to go but cannot let this joke of an officiating crew take away from the incredible season we had.
Every player on this team gave it their all, stepped in when they needed to, and didn’t give up til the end. Wouldn’t trade this team for the world
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) April 2, 2023
This is the worst
I covered many women's basketball title games.
This is the worst officiated women's title game I've seen. Not hyperbole. The worst. https://t.co/3k2v1WP3QW
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 2, 2023
A travesty
37 fouls in 40 minutes of basketball is a horrific travesty to the game. Especially on the highest stage.
— Rick Webster (@TheRickWebster) April 2, 2023
Official shirt of the NCAA championship game
Official shirt of the Women's NCAA Basketball Championship on sale now pic.twitter.com/9t3z2CSjOq
— Heavens Caitlin! (@HeavensFX) April 2, 2023
LSU should be the story
LSU scored 102 points in an NCAA Tournament title game.
The most points EVER scored in a D-I national championship game.
LSU just won its first EVER national title in program history.
That should be the story.
It’s a shame the referees took away from this historic game.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 2, 2023
Hawks aren't using any of it as an excuse
Asked if officiating was a factor Kate Martin said “no.”
Jan Jensen said, “I credit LSU.”
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) April 2, 2023
Coach Bluder sounds off
Lisa Bluder on the officiating: pic.twitter.com/TNlmO5jHsO
— Nathan Ford (@NathanTFord) April 2, 2023
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