Damian Lillard Calls Out Refs as Caitlin Clark, Iowa Beat WVU in WCBB NCAA Tournament

Andrew PetersMarch 26, 2024

Rebecca Gratz/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Damian Lillard had thoughts on the officiating in Iowa’s win over West Virginia in the NCAA women’s tournament Monday night.

“I feel like West Virginia women’s team getting did bad by these refs,” Lillard posted on X.

Damian Lillard @Dame_LillardI feel like West Virginia women’s team getting did bad by these refs.

Lillard, like many other college basketball fans, thought the game might have had some one-sided officiating as No. 1 Iowa defeated No. 8 West Virginia 64-54 in the Round of 32.

The box score certainly shows some disparity in the foul calls, as West Virginia was called for 27 personal fouls while Iowa committed just 11 on the night. The Hawkeyes shot 30 free throws, making 25 of them, while the Mountaineers attempted just five the entire game, making three.

Iowa star Caitlin Clark was the biggest beneficiary of the foul calls, getting 11 of her 32 points in the game from the line. She missed just one free throw on the night.

Whether the officiating was one-sided or West Virginia was just more aggressive is up for interpretation, but either way, Iowa is moving on to the Sweet 16 and West Virginia’s season is over.

The Hawkeyes will now face No. 5 Colorado in the Sweet 16 in Albany, New York, after the Buffaloes handled No. 4 Kansas State in the Round of 32.

Colorado has a big task at hand going up against Clark and Iowa, and the Buffaloes will be hoping for a friendly whistle.