CBS analyst rips March Madness ref show after slew of controversial fouls in St. John’s-Arkansas

The refs have seemingly had a quick whistle in Providence on Saturday afternoon, and after two calls in the second half — including one that ended Kadary Richmond’s night — of the St. John’s Arkansas game, one CBS analyst was none too pleased.

Richmond attempted to defend when Karter Knox passed up a 3-point shot and drove toward the basket with just under seven minutes remaining, but despite appearing to hold his ground defensively, he was whistled for the foul.

“That’s not a foul,” CBS analyst Steve Lappas said. “I’m sorry. That’s a no-call.”

Earlier in the half, with a little over 13 minutes left, Dajuan Wagner Jr. of Arkansas missed a 3-point attempt, and St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor tried to box out under the glass for a rebound.

But as the ball careened toward the floor, a whistle came and a shocked Ejiofor was called for a foul.

After seeing the play unfold, Lappas gave anther brutally honest assessment of the call in the Round of 32.

“Wow! In this kinda game, I’m sorry, that’s not a good call,” Lappas said.

The whistles were coming fast and furious in the second half against both teams, and with 11:58 to go in the final half, the Razorbacks’ Zvonimir Ivisic fouled out of the contest to put Arkansas in a precarious spot.

With 7:57 left, there were 16 total fouls called in the second half.