You can only call yourself the best when you deliver on the big stage. And for Paige Bueckers? That’s her bread and butter! Time and time again, she’s stepped up when UConn needed her most. Well, most of the time! Tonight’s Sweet 16 game was no different. When the pressure was on, Paige delivered. Like she always does! But, as with any big basketball game these days, no contest is complete without a little controversy. And sure enough, this one had its fair share!

Surrounding the controversy were none other than the refs themselves! This time, they’re under the microscope for failing to protect Bueckers. It’s become a pattern–guards with great ball-handling skills often don’t get the same calls as others. And that’s been the case for Paige too.

Paige dropped 40 points in the game, shooting 16/27 from the field. But it wasn’t smooth sailing in the second quarter. The Huskies were struggling, going just 5-20 from the field. A lot of that had to do with how Paige was being treated by the referees.

While UConn ran out deserving winners in the end, fans were left furious watching Paige get fouled time and time again, only for the referees to wave it off like nothing happened. The frustration boiled over, and fans quickly took to social media to voice their anger. Let’s take a look at some of the fan reactions.

Fans fume as Paige Bueckers becomes a victim of no calls by the refs

It all started when UConn started the game down 8 in the first quarter. It was none other than Paige who opened the Huskies’ scoring. A 3-pointer! But it was contested by Sooner center Raegan Beers. Strangely enough, there was no call on her and the play continued.

“Paige Bueckers has the absolute worst whistle in college basketball history. The officials watch her get bulldozed every single game and she never gets to the free throw line”, one commented. Another joined in talking about the play where Paige was denied to go the free throw line saying, “No foul on this Paige 3 is insane”

This has been a thing for Paige throughout the season. You won’t find the guard going to the free-throw line often. Tonight, she shot 3 free throws, making 2 of them. Scoring 40 points and getting just 2 from the line? That’s pure hooping, plain and simple! But the ref calls kept frustrating the fans.

“She has Steph’s whistle 😭😭 why must my favorite players suffer,” said one fan about the ref calls. Another fan joined in saying these were done to help Oklahoma, “Gotta say ref’s definitely helping out Oklahoma no doubt.” There are definitely shades of Curry in Bueckers, with her exceptional dribbling and playmaking abilities–yet both seem to have one of the worst whistles in their respective leagues. Just last week, Curry injured his tailbone after getting fouled, but the play was allowed to continue.

UConn barely went to the line last game. They shot only 13 free throws. But the same can also be said about the Sooners. One fan said how the Sooners were also in the end of a few bad calls saying,“Well that matched with a few make up calls and a missed 3point foul on the other end.”  Oklahoma shot just 10 free throws as well.

The Huskies ran out deserving winners in the end. It was a one-woman show from start to finish. Paige Bueckers will be hoping to carry UConn further in the tournament, aiming to end what is likely to be her final season with the Huskies on a high. A championship back to Storrs has been long overdue!