The Duke Blue Devils and Michigan Wolverines met in February, in what could have been a preview of a late-March game in the Final Four.
A back-and-forth affair led to the Blue Devils prevailing late, handing Michigan its second loss of the season. Of course, as with any game of this magnitude, it came with some controversy.
Duke vs Michigan Game Hit by Late Game Officiating Controversy
Michigan and Duke exchanged body blows throughout a back-and-forth first half that saw Duke take a two-point lead into halftime. Neither team led by more than 5 points in the first half. It truly was a hotly contested game, which, of course, led to discourse about the officials.
While a foul here or there can be questioned, usually those plays are subjective.
In one specific case, however, more attention was given than to most of the others.
Cameron Boozer got into the paint and put up a tough floater in the presence of Michigan big man Aday Mara. As the ball went toward the rim, Mara came across the line to knock the ball away from the basket.
The whistle was immediately blown, and the play was ruled a goaltend, giving Duke a 66-61 lead with just over a minute to play.
Despite it being a close call, the ruling on a goaltend was upheld, sparking plenty of controversy and reaction from pundits, both unbiased and otherwise.
How is this a goaltend ? The ball isn’t even coming down yet lmaoo congrats to Duke and the refs on beating Michigan pic.twitter.com/EB11ccI5oT
— John (@iam_johnw) February 22, 2026
Dave Portnoy, the president of Barstool Sports, is an outspoken Michigan fan. He’s part of Fox’s college football coverage and is frequently decked out in maize and blue prior to the game.
There is no hiding Portnoy’s bias, but it’s clear he was not thrilled with the call, as he posted: “Goaltending!!! Duke officials”
Goaltending!!! Duke officials
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) February 22, 2026
It was not just Michigan fans who were talking about whether the official made the correct call. Brandon Koretz pointed out that Jay Bilas, a former Duke player, did not think that goaltending should have been called.
“That’s only a goaltend if you ignore the fact that the ball was continually going up the entire time. Even Duke alum Jay Bilas thought it wasn’t goaltending. Atrocious officiating,” Koretz posted.
That’s only a goaltend if you ignore the fact that the ball was continually going up the entire time.
Even Duke alum Jay Bilas thought it wasn’t goaltending. Atrocious officiating.
— Brandon Koretz (@BrandonKoretz) February 22, 2026
Ultimately, the game was excellent, even with the controversy, and a preview of what could be an excellent matchup in the Final Four, with both teams feeling like they have a score to settle, as Adam Schein observed: “March is gonna be amazing. But I’ll keep saying it… Gimme Duke to win it all.”
March is gonna be amazing.
But I’ll keep saying it…
Gimme Duke to win it all.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) February 22, 2026
If there’s one opinion that everyone can agree on, it’s that we are mere days away from March Madness, and after Duke’s 68-63 win over Michigan, the tournament continues to deliver.
That wasnt the only bad call to go against Michigan there was many more