BREAKING: Duke’s Head Coach Finally Speaks Up Over Big Refereeing Controversies as Duke’s Tournament Exit Makes Headlines
After days of silence, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has finally addressed the officiating controversy that overshadowed his team’s dramatic NCAA Tournament loss to Houston. The Blue Devils’ exit has been one of the most talked-about moments of March Madness — not just because of the game’s intensity, but because of a missed foul call that many believe cost Duke a chance to advance.
With Duke trailing by two points in the final minutes, star freshman Cooper Flagg drove hard to the basket. As he rose for the shot, a Houston defender made clear contact with Flagg’s arm and body, sending him to the floor. The contact appeared obvious to fans, players, and commentators alike — but the whistle never blew. Houston recovered the ball and buried a dagger three-pointer at the other end. The momentum shifted instantly, and Duke never recovered.
Since then, fans and analysts have called out the officiating, demanding accountability. Now, Jon Scheyer has broken his silence.
Speaking to reporters, Scheyer said, “I’ve held off on saying too much because I didn’t want to sound like we were making excuses. But when you look at the film, there are moments that absolutely deserve to be reviewed — and that one was a big one.”
He continued, “It’s hard when a game of that magnitude is affected by something out of the players’ control. Cooper made the right play, and in that moment, the officials didn’t.”
Scheyer emphasized that Houston played a strong game and deserved credit, but also noted that consistency in officiating is critical in high-stakes games like these. “All you want is fairness and consistency,” he said. “It’s not about one call — it’s about making sure the players decide the outcome, not the refs.”
Cooper Flagg also addressed the moment, saying, “It hurt. You always want the game to be settled between the lines, not by a no-call.”
The NCAA has yet to release a formal statement regarding the officiating crew’s performance. In the meantime, Duke’s early exit remains a major talking point — and now, with Scheyer speaking out, the pressure on the NCAA to respond is only growing.
For Duke fans, the sting of the loss lingers — not just because of the scoreboard, but because of what could have been.
