Yow Not Happy With ACC’s Explanation of Timeout Call

With 44 seconds left on the clock, and the Wolfpack only trailing 81-84, NC State’s Al Freeman and Markell Johnson trapped Miami’s Chris Lykes at midcourt.

Johnson smacked the ball out of the hands of Lykes.

Freeman picks up the ball and heads down the court for an easy 2-point basket.

The whistle blows and a mysterious timeout was called by Miami, nullifying the steal.

It was hard to tell who called the timeout in the midst of the commotion, but the ACC has clarified that they believed Miami’s Lykes called timeout while being trapped while he had possession of the ball.

You be the judge.

Normal shot of the Chris Lykes timeout; Roger Ayers clearly awards it to Lykes. pic.twitter.com/bw2oZf9cc3

— Inside Pack Sports (@InsidePackSport) January 21, 2018

Roger Ayers says Miami guard Chris Lykes called a timeout here. pic.twitter.com/DiSVhrEuMJ

— Inside Pack Sports (@InsidePackSport) January 21, 2018

“Oh, my.” Yeah, certainly doesn’t appear Chris Lykes calls for a timeout. 🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/aLCk4xhjzn

— Pack Pride (@PackPride) January 22, 2018

Kevin Keatts reaction to the call can be seen in the photo at the top of the article.

The video of the play was quickly sent to ACC officials after the game, and they stood by the call that was made.

NC State Athletic Director Debbie Yow didn’t shy away from sharing her opinion via these Twitter posts.

The ACC was told the player w the ball called a TO. We have been in touch w the league office about this, as u would expect, since the play was critical. Have asked for their feedback after they view video.

— #1 state fan (@gopacknow) January 21, 2018

ACC officials have seen the double team/steal play, when a TO was indicated by an official, which negated the steal. They will stand by the explanation offered, that the Miami player in the double called a TO. As for us, we believe the video speaks for itself.

— #1 state fan (@gopacknow) January 22, 2018

What ensued as a result of the timeout was Miami running 22 seconds off of the clock and scoring 2 points.

Look, NC State lost the game for a variety of reasons yesterday. They were reckless with the basketball. They tried played bad off-the-ball defense. They allowed Miami to blister the nets. They forced things that simply weren’t there at times.

With that being said, this timeout blunder is on the list of reasons NC State lost the game, and this one was out of their control.