Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson did not hold back his frustration following Indiana’s tough 76-71 loss to the Oregon Ducks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In a post-game press conference on Wednesday night, Woodson launched into an explicit, emotional rant criticizing the officiating, claiming that the referees played a significant role in the Hoosiers’ early tournament exit.
The Hoosiers, who entered the game as slight favorites after an impressive first-round win, struggled throughout the contest against Oregon’s aggressive defense. But in Woodson’s eyes, it wasn’t just Oregon’s play that hurt Indiana — it was the officials’ whistle, or lack thereof.
“That s*** was ridiculous,” Woodson said during the heated postgame interview. “I’ve been coaching and playing in this game for a long time, and I’ve never seen officiating that damn one-sided. We couldn’t get a call to save our lives out there. Our guys were getting hacked, shoved, you name it — and nothing. Meanwhile, every little touch on the other end was a foul.”
Woodson particularly referenced a critical sequence late in the second half. With just under three minutes remaining and Indiana trailing by four, star guard Xavier Johnson drove to the basket and appeared to be fouled on his way up. No call was made, and Oregon quickly turned the missed shot into a transition three-pointer, extending the lead to seven and essentially sealing the game.
“That was a foul, plain and simple,” Woodson emphasized. “Anyone with two eyes could see it. That no-call changed the whole momentum. It’s hard enough to win these games without having to play five-on-eight.”
When asked if he expected to hear from the NCAA or Big Ten regarding his comments, Woodson shrugged. “I don’t give a damn. Someone’s gotta say something. Our kids fought their hearts out, and they deserved better.”
Woodson’s outburst has already gained traction on social media, with fans and analysts split. Some have applauded his passion and willingness to stand up for his players, while others suggest he crossed a line and may face disciplinary action or a fine for publicly criticizing the officiating in such blunt terms.
Indiana finishes the season with a 23-10 record and a second-round tournament exit — a disappointing end for a team that had shown flashes of being a potential Sweet 16 contender. For Oregon, the victory marks an impressive upset and advances them to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019.
As for Woodson, his NSFW rant will undoubtedly dominate headlines for the coming days. While his frustration may be understandable given the stakes and the context of the calls in question, his words will almost certainly be reviewed by the NCAA, which traditionally frowns upon coaches openly criticizing officials.
Whether or not any official action is taken, Woodson’s remarks highlight just how much pressure and emotion ride on every game in March — especially when dreams are on the line.
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