Wisconsin Badgers fans mock Indiana Hoosiers after controversial call

Back on February 7th, the Wisconsin Badgers lost a tough overtime game to the Indiana Hoosiers 78-77. In the last 15 seconds of that game, Nick Boyd was called for an offensive foul, moving away from the basket with the Badgers leading 77-76, to give Indiana one last chance. It was a call that Greg Gard said he “never seen anything like that.”

On the ensuing possession, a controversial foul call on John Blackwell allowed Hoosiers guard Lamar Wilkerson to sink two free throws to win the game. It was a painful loss that even left Badger legend Sam Dekker irate after the game.

Since that loss to Indiana, the Badgers have gone 3-1 with two wins over top-10 opponents. The Hoosiers, on the other hand, have gone the opposite way with a 1-3 record. That third loss last Tuesday at home against Northwestern was perhaps a healthy dose of karma.

Controversial call goes against Indiana, and Badger fans are loving it.

With Northwestern up 71-68, Indiana’s Tucker DeVries hoisted a three-point shot attempt well wide of the basket. However, replays showed Wildcat guard Angelo Ciaravino made contact with DeVries’ arm on the shot attempt, which would have given DeVries three free throw attempts to tie the game. 

Some Badgers fans were quick to rub salt in the wound. 

The Hoosiers’ loss to the Wildcats is a bad loss for an Indiana team attempting to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Don’t expect any sympathy from Badgers fans who know firsthand how a referee’s decision can impact a game in Assembly Hall. 

Perhaps the best lesson we can learn from games that end like this is this: Don’t put yourself in that position to have a referee’s call determine the outcome. Wisconsin Badgers fans got to experience that feeling earlier this month. Now, Indiana Hoosiers fans know how Badger fans felt back on February 7th.