Alabama Coaches, Players & Fans Are Losing Their Minds Over Officiating In Game Against Grand Canyon

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It's not uncommon for teams, players and fans to feel like the referees are out to get them. The Alabama Crimson Tide might have a point in their Round of 32 game against Grand Canyon in the NCAA Tournament. 

Alabama, the #4 seed in the South Region, scored 109 points en route to a Round of 64 victory over #13 College of Charleston. Grand Canyon, the #12 seed, upset #5 St. Mary's to set up the battle with the Crimson Tide. 

Alabama entered the game as favorites, but they might feel like the NCAA Tournament referees bet against them. At least based on some of the calls in the first half. 

Tide head coach Nate Oats had no problem saying so, either. After a particularly contentious call, Oats reacted in disbelief. Referees assessed a technical foul on the head coach, giving Grand Canyon extra free throws. 

Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats openly criticized the officials in game against Grand Canyon in NCAA Tournament.

Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats openly criticized the officials in game against Grand Canyon in NCAA Tournament.

(USA Today Sports)

Following the next time out, CBS reporter Lauren Shehadi interviewed Oats, who expressed his feelings pretty clearly. 

"The calls down here aren't equal to the calls down there," Oats said. "There are two different refs, but they've got to have consistency within the crew. So, yeah, I'm not happy with them." 

That was one of two technical fouls assessed to Alabama. Referees called a total of 12 fouls on the Crimson Tide in the first half, compared to 8 against Grand Canyon. Players for Alabama were consistently frustrated with calls that they felt went against them, but weren't being called against Grand Canyon. 

Tide fans took to social media to express their displeasure, as well. 

Despite the officiating, Alabama took an eight-point lead into the half and held Grand Canyon to just 30 points. The Tide have struggled defensively all season and gave up nearly 100 points to College of Charleston. 

But, they held Grand Canyon to less than 30% shooting from the field and 10 of GCU's 30 points came from the free throw line. 

We'll have to see if anything changes in the second half from the standpoint of the officials, or the two teams. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.