Cooper Flagg A controversial call may have been the difference in Duke’s Final Four loss………
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four matchup between Duke and Arizona delivered on intensity, talent, and heartbreak. With a national championship berth at stake, both teams battled fiercely until the final buzzer. But what will be remembered most by fans and analysts alike isn’t just the back-and-forth action—it’s the controversial call in the closing minutes that might have tipped the game in Arizona’s favor. In a tournament where every possession matters, one questionable whistle has left Duke supporters wondering what could have been.
With just under a minute left on the clock and the score tied at 72, Duke guard Jared McCain drove hard to the basket. As he went up for a layup, Arizona’s K.J. Lewis appeared to make contact with McCain’s arm. McCain missed the shot, stumbled to the floor, and looked toward the officials expecting a foul. The whistle never came. Arizona grabbed the rebound, pushed the ball up the court, and Caleb Love drilled a deep three-pointer on the next possession to give the Wildcats the lead. The sequence ultimately decided the game, with Arizona holding on for a 77-74 win.
Replay angles seemed to confirm what many watching live had suspected—there was clear contact on McCain’s shooting arm. Even neutral commentators expressed surprise that no foul was called in such a critical moment. Social media exploded, with fans posting slow-motion videos and screenshots showing the contact. The phrase “McCain was hacked” began trending within minutes. In a game so evenly matched, the absence of a call on that play loomed large, overshadowing the performances of both teams.
Of course, one play doesn’t define an entire game. Duke had opportunities throughout to build a lead, including several missed free throws and costly turnovers earlier in the second half. Arizona, to their credit, played with poise and resilience, especially in the final five minutes when Duke looked poised to pull ahead. Caleb Love’s leadership, along with strong play from Pelle Larsson and Oumar Ballo, kept the Wildcats within striking distance. Still, when fans and players look back at the film, that missed foul call will feel like a pivotal moment that altered the game’s trajectory.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was diplomatic in his postgame comments but couldn’t completely hide his frustration. “I thought Jared made a strong move, and it looked like there was contact,” Scheyer said. “But the officials have a tough job, and we had chances to win beyond that play.” His statement reflected a mix of professionalism and quiet disappointment. Behind the scenes, sources close to the team said players were livid in the locker room, especially McCain, who felt he was robbed of a potential and-one opportunity that could have changed the outcome.
The call—or lack thereof—will no doubt be a point of discussion during the offseason and likely resurface in next year’s officiating review meetings. For Duke, it marks a heartbreaking end to a season full of promise and momentum. The Blue Devils had peaked at the right time, playing some of their best basketball in March. But as is so often the case in the NCAA tournament, sometimes the difference between advancing and going home comes down to a single whistle—or the absence of one. As the dust settles, the sting of this loss will linger in Durham for some time.
