- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,629
- Reaction score
- 59
March Madness delivered a thrilling slate of matchups in the opening rounds, putting teams on upset alert and shattering brackets across the country.
Santa Clara men’s basketball had Kentucky on the ropes during their Friday afternoon battle, and it took a miracle just to force overtime.
After Santa Clara broke a late second-half tie, Kentucky had only seconds to respond. Otega Oweh delivered the opening round’s shot of the year, drilling a buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime.
MORE: Joshua Jefferson injury update is troubling for Iowa State’s March Madness run
However, the play may have come after a moment that Santa Clara believes officials missed. As the Broncos took the lead, head coach Herb Sendek immediately called for a timeout—one the officials never granted.
Sendek confirmed that sequence during the postgame press conference following his team’s overtime loss.
“I unequivocally called timeout,” he told reporters, pausing briefly before adding, “but they didn’t grant it.”
He also pointed to video evidence that has since circulated on social media.
MORE: Saint Louis mascot shows March Madness love for Buffalo Bills with NFL celebration
Kentucky may have benefited from the chaos of the moment, escaping a critical stoppage that could have changed the outcome. Regardless, Oweh’s shot remains an extraordinary play under pressure.
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Herb Sendek reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
While he might have had another chance to deliver in a reset situation, a granted timeout likely would have allowed Sendek’s squad to regroup and close out the upset.
So the question remains: did officials get it right by letting play continue, or did Santa Clara lose a crucial opportunity in the game’s defining moment?
MARCH MADNESS: Predicting March Madness upsets in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
NFL DRAFT: New Mel Kiper NFL mock draft shows major impact of free agency
MLB: Dodgers announce Shohei Ohtani’s spring training pitching debut
NHL: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for regular season with lower-body injury
ENTERTAINMENT: Is ‘Bachelorette’ still airing amid Taylor Frankie Paul domestic dispute allegations?
VIRAL: Livvy Dunne shares ‘Baywatch’ training with BTS swimsuit, set photos
Continue reading...
Santa Clara men’s basketball had Kentucky on the ropes during their Friday afternoon battle, and it took a miracle just to force overtime.
After Santa Clara broke a late second-half tie, Kentucky had only seconds to respond. Otega Oweh delivered the opening round’s shot of the year, drilling a buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime.
MORE: Joshua Jefferson injury update is troubling for Iowa State’s March Madness run
However, the play may have come after a moment that Santa Clara believes officials missed. As the Broncos took the lead, head coach Herb Sendek immediately called for a timeout—one the officials never granted.
Sendek confirmed that sequence during the postgame press conference following his team’s overtime loss.
“I unequivocally called timeout,” he told reporters, pausing briefly before adding, “but they didn’t grant it.”
He also pointed to video evidence that has since circulated on social media.
MORE: Saint Louis mascot shows March Madness love for Buffalo Bills with NFL celebration
Kentucky may have benefited from the chaos of the moment, escaping a critical stoppage that could have changed the outcome. Regardless, Oweh’s shot remains an extraordinary play under pressure.
You must be registered for see images attach
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Herb Sendek reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
While he might have had another chance to deliver in a reset situation, a granted timeout likely would have allowed Sendek’s squad to regroup and close out the upset.
So the question remains: did officials get it right by letting play continue, or did Santa Clara lose a crucial opportunity in the game’s defining moment?
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
MARCH MADNESS: Predicting March Madness upsets in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
NFL DRAFT: New Mel Kiper NFL mock draft shows major impact of free agency
MLB: Dodgers announce Shohei Ohtani’s spring training pitching debut
NHL: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for regular season with lower-body injury
ENTERTAINMENT: Is ‘Bachelorette’ still airing amid Taylor Frankie Paul domestic dispute allegations?
VIRAL: Livvy Dunne shares ‘Baywatch’ training with BTS swimsuit, set photos
Continue reading...
