Texas Tech vs Virginia: Key storylines for National Championship game

By Adam Childs | Apr 7, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Kihei Clark #0 and Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers react in the game against the Auburn Tigers during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 06: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

5. Refs

The best referees in a game are the ones you don’t even know are there and for the most part that is the way it was in the two Final Four games. Except for the last ten seconds of the Auburn and Virginia game that is. A blown double dribble non-call and then a questionable call on the last second three-point attempt by Kyle Guy helped Virginia come out with the win. Upon further review, it probably was a foul and by rule it definitely was a double dribble.

Many people will say the refs decided the outcome of the game and robbed Auburn. But others can argue that the Auburn guy fouled before the double dribble even happened. It is tough to say what should have been called and it is very easy to second guess every call, especially when put under a microscope of instant replay and slow-mo technology.

This has brought into question the officiating and will be a big topic of discussion leading up to the championship game. But the bigger thing for both Virginia and Texas Tech is that they both play such an aggressive style of defense that the way the game is called will dictate how this game goes. Both teams need the refs to let them play and swallow their whistles. The Red Raiders probably need it a little bit more as they really reach to get turnovers. But either way if the refs call the game tight it could completely change the complexion of the game.

Both teams needs to keep their top guys on the floor and if any of them get into foul trouble it could severely hurt their chances at winning the game. Both have some good bench players but aren’t particularly deep. If they get in foul trouble it will hurt either team.

While the final call in the Virginia game was probably right, I think most people are hoping it doesn’t come down to a call like that at the end of the game. Hopefully, at the end of this game we will be talking about a great game and the champion and no the refs. Unfortunately it will be a topic of conversation leading up to the game.

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