March isn’t just for college hoops anymore! It’s the same players. It’s the same country. The ballers are bringing the same intensity. But in a totally different format—and that’s what makes Unrivaled such a thrill to watch. However, you know what’s one similarity Unrivaled and the WNBA share? And well, it’s something fans definitely didn’t sign up for: officiating troubles. 

Take the latest case from Monday night’s showdown between Mist BC and Lunar Owls BC. Two teams on opposite ends of the standings—Mist BC struggling at the bottom with a 5-8 record (now 5-9), while the Owls have been absolutely dominant at 12-1 (now 13-1). The stakes were high, with Mist desperately fighting for a playoff spot and the Owls looking to extend their five-game winning streak. 

Plus, with Unrivaled co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier leading their respective teams, you just knew this was going to be a battle. And, the Owls showed exactly why they’re at the top. They ran away with a 92-58 blowout, completely dismantling Mist BC. But while the game was supposed to be about the high-energy showdown, one call stole the spotlight and highlighted Unrivaled’s season-long officiating problem (probably for the 100th time!).

It happened when Shakira Austin drove to the rim, only to be met by Rickea Jackson and DiJonai Carrington, who both went up to block her shot from behind. Jackson made the first contact, followed by Carrington getting a piece of the play. Austin fell to her knees.

At first glance, it seemed like a good defensive stop—exactly what Mist BC needed in their already rough night. But guess what? Instead of a clean stop, the refs decided to eject Carrington. Just like that. And suddenly, we had yet another Unrivaled officiating disaster on our hands.

Carrington, however, wasn’t fazed. The switch from the WNBA to Unrivaled hasn’t changed her one bit. She embraced her role as the so-called “villain” yet again, walking off with a look that basically screamed, “Y’all serious right now?” And, well, the fans were absolutely with her. 

Twitter exploded with outrage, and it wasn’t just about this one call—it was about the bigger issue at hand.

Whistle over hoops? Unrivaled’s officiating bashed again

One fan vented, “I thought Unrivaled was supposed to be a fun lil time away from the W. Why do these refs keep ejecting people?” They have a point. With the WNBA season still two months away, Unrivaled was meant to be a mix of basketball and entertainment, something that lets players and fans enjoy a more relaxed, fast-paced game. 

Even Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell emphasized the league’s unique blend of competition and fun. But right now? It’s starting to feel like a never-ending whistle fest, where every other game is marred by foul trouble and questionable calls.

Another fan chimed in, “😒 Another damn ejection… The refs are on 1 again I see #Unrivaled” Well, this isn’t even the first time Unrivaled officials have pulled something like this. Remember when Angel Reese made history by becoming the first player ejected in the league’s inaugural season? Fans were livid, calling it an unfair call.

Then there was Phantom BC head coach Adam Harrington, who also got tossed in a game against Mist BC. At this point, it’s starting to feel like ejecting people is just part of the brand.

One frustrated viewer pointed out, “The foul wasn’t even on DiJonai. It was clearly on Rickea. So her waving off the ref was valid because wtf are you even doing atp.” They’re not wrong, though. Watching the replay, Jackson was the one who made initial contact, yet Carrington—who was behind her—was the one who got hit with the ejection. Make it make sense.

Another fan broke it down, “This chaotic sequence makes zero sense. Shakira trying to survive, Courtney shoving DiJonai to the ground, and somehow Nai gets the tech.” That sums it up perfectly. The whole sequence was a mess from start to finish. If anything, Carrington was the least responsible for what happened. Yet, somehow, she’s the one getting tossed with just 11 points. 

One final take just hit the nail on the head, “Worst thing about Unrivaled is da refs. Legit teflon league otherwise lol.” And that’s the frustrating part. Unrivaled is genuinely fun to watch. The fast pace, the star-studded matchups, the intensity—it’s all there. Even the 1v1 tournament had people hyped, except, obviously, for the questionable calls that kept creeping in. A prime example was that foul call that sent Courtney Williams to the next round, leaving Rhyne Howard just standing there, shaking her head.

So, all in all, the sentiment is people love this league. But the officiating is killing the vibe. At the end of the day, all anyone wants is for Unrivaled’s management to step up and fix this issue before it gets worse.