Late goaltending call in UCLA-SMU game spurs debate

A critical goaltending call that sent UCLA to the third-round of the NCAA tournament spurred debate among athletes and pundits about whether officials made the correct decision.

A critical goaltending call that sent UCLA to the third-round of the NCAA tournament spurred debate among athletes and pundits about whether officials made the correct decision. 

With just seconds remaining in the second half, UCLA's Bryce Alford attempted a three-pointer. SMU's Yanick Moreira, positioned under the basket, jumped up and grabbed the ball as it approached the rim. What's less clear is whether Moreira impeded the ball's path toward the basket or whether the ball was going to miss the basket entirely. 

Officials called a goaltend, giving UCLA a late 60-59 lead. The score held, and the Bruins advanced. 

After the call, debate ignited on Twitter. 

March Madness😳😳😳😳 it was an air ball though

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 19, 2015

Yep that was a goaltend.

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) March 19, 2015

I picked UCLA so this call isn’t the worst. LOL. Go #Pac12!

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 19, 2015

I just don’t think you can call that and not have it be reviewable in a game that means so much.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 19, 2015

No sir RT @cjfair: That was an airball 😱

— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) March 19, 2015

But helllll of a call by the ref man! Sheesh...#HeGotItRight

— John Henson (@Johnhenson31) March 19, 2015

What da eff just happened in this UCLA game ?!?!? Damn what a heartbreaker for SMU

— Soleil’s Dad (@DevinEbanks3) March 19, 2015

. @MarchMadnessTV how do the referees not review that UCLA goal tending call vs SMU?????? @ESPNCBB

— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) March 19, 2015

By the looks of it, boy it seems that SMU was cheated. Who feels the same way?

— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) March 19, 2015

Goaltending for the win.... Sheesh...

— Aaron Brooks (@Thirty2zero) March 19, 2015

That's not a goal tend. It's a miss... pic.twitter.com/cRluG4Nmkk

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 19, 2015

Based on these rules, I'm going to say it was a bad call. No chance it was going in http://t.co/f20E6sonTH pic.twitter.com/TyCOJpnT3J

— Moban (@McMathketball) March 19, 2015