Controversial Call Helps Kansas Jayhawks Secure Victory against Samford Bulldogs

In a thrilling first-round match-up in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Kansas Jayhawks narrowly escaped an early upset against the 13th-seeded Samford Bulldogs. The game was marked by a controversial call in the final minute that ultimately decided the outcome.

Despite holding a commanding 22-point lead, the Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback, bringing the deficit down to just one point with a mere 14 seconds left on the clock. Samford's A.J. Staton-McCray claimed to have executed a "great play" by blocking Nicolas Timberlake's shot from beneath the basket.

However, the officials deemed it a foul, awarding Timberlake two crucial free throws. With nerves of steel, Timberlake successfully converted both shots, securing a narrow 93-89 victory for the fourth-seeded Jayhawks.

Following the game, Samford coach Bucky McMillan acknowledged the controversial call but commended his team's resilience. "I thought A.J. made an incredible play on it," he said. "I'm not faulting the call. Some people can see it different ways. But I was really proud of our guys' ability to go make a play."

Social media erupted with differing opinions on the call, with some fans expressing outrage at the referees' decision. "Ban that ref crew for robbing Samford," one user exclaimed, while another accused the Jayhawks of being "bailed out by refs once again."

Timberlake, who was on the receiving end of the disputed play, remained steadfast in his belief that he was indeed fouled. In his post-game press conference, he insisted, "I was definitely fouled on the play."

Kansas coach Bill Self tactfully sidestepped addressing the call directly and instead praised Timberlake's performance. "I thought Nic attacked the basket well," Self said. "He's a much better athlete than what a lot of people think. He attacked it strong, just like he should."

With this hard-fought victory, the Jayhawks advance to the next round, where they will face off against the fifth-seeded Gonzaga. The highly-anticipated match is scheduled for Saturday at 3:15 p.m. ET, promising another thrilling showdown in the tournament.