Duke-Wisconsin NCAA Championship Game Featured Controversial Call

Victory remained just out of reach for Wisconsin.

ByABC News
April 7, 2015, 1:52 AM

— -- Victory remained just out of reach for Wisconsin Monday.

The Badgers fell short in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game against Duke, losing 68-63.

A key moment of the game occurred with less than two minutes remaining in the second half. Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig missed a layup and the ball fell out of bounds, but replays appeared to show the ball grazing Duke small forward Justise Winslow’s fingertips.

The refs decided against overturning the call, so Duke kept possession – and Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones hit a key 3-pointer, giving the Blue Devils an 8-point lead.

The call drew criticism from professional athletes.

According to a poll with ESPN’s SportsNation, 87 percent of voters – including a majority in all 50 states – believe Winslow’s finger touched the ball.

After the controversial call, Wisconsin fans were saddened to watch the team’s championship dreams dissipate.