Charles Barkley: ‘I Hate When a Referee Decides a Game’

Like many people, he wasn’t happy.

It was a controversial ending to San Diego State’s nail-biting win over Creighton in the Elite Eight on Sunday. Naturally, Charles Barkley didn’t hide his opinion and shared what he thought of the game’s final seconds. 

“I hate when a referee decides a game,” he said on the postgame show, according to Matt Mosley of Fox Sports. 

What Barkley is referring to is the controversial call that came in the game’s final moments with both teams tied at 56. Aztecs guard Darrion Trammell was driving down the middle of the lane and was able to get past Blue Jays guard Ryan Nembhard.

This controversial foul on Creighton helped San Diego State (+125 ML) move on to their FIRST Final Four in program history 😱😱

Did the officials get the call correct? 🤔pic.twitter.com/dQ22sp9Pyg

— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) March 26, 2023

Trammell pulled up for a shot and missed but a foul was called on Nembhard for putting a hand on him from behind. Some online thought it wasn’t a foul, but nevertheless he went to the charity stripe. He nailed one of the the two free throws and Creighton was unable to score on the opposite end afterward, ending the game. 

San Diego State moves on to the Final Four and it appears this ending just doesn’t sit well with Barkley.