What an ending we had on our hands… A berth in the Final Four at stake, the game knotted at 56, and 1.2 seconds remaining in the game. Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard would then foul San Diego State guard Darrion Trammell on a drive to the hoop. What was to come seemed like chaos…
Photo Creds: (L) Sporting News [(L) Trammell, (R) Nembhard], (R) Sporting News
Replays would show that Nembhard was trailing Trammell into the paint, with his left hand on Trammell’s right hip. Nembhard appeared to be holding Trammell’s shirt before nudging him after the ball was released. Due to this foul, SDSU would get two free-throw attempts, making one of them and giving the Aztecs the 57-56 lead.
Photo Cred: Advertiser-Tribune Photo Cred: Fox News
Whether or not the contact actually affected Trammell, a foul is a foul. Kind of brings a reminder of what happened in Super Bowl LVII a few months ago, as previously mentioned by fellow Sports Radio America writer, Sam Kurker. Regardless of the severity of the contact, cornerback James Bradberry did (in fact) hold wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. On Saturday, April 1st, San Diego State will face No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic in Houston in a matchup of two first-time Final Four qualifiers. One of them will also be a first-time participant in the national championship game next Monday night!
Photo Cred: Sports Illustrated Photo Cred: YouTube- All Sports Central
Creighton came painfully close to its first Final Four appearance, as the game was tied five times in the final six minutes. However, the Bluejays struggled offensively in the second half, shooting only 27.6%, and never found a way to pull ahead. Commiserations to them on a close, one-point loss, but what a run it has been for them this season!
Photo Cred: Sports Illustrated Photo Cred: NCAA.com
