Former coach Pennell discusses weekend’s controversies

Former University of Arizona head basketball coach Russ Pennell stopped by to chat with Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug and Wolf Monday morning. He discussed the first weekend of March Madness and sided with the ref’s decision not to give Texas guard Cory Joseph a timeout in the controversial finish to Sunday’s game against the Wildcats.

The freshman Joseph, who has been in bounding the ball since game three of the season for Texas, attempted to call a timeout to avoid a five second violation with his team holding a 69-67 lead with 14.5 seconds remaining. The referee, Richard Cartmell, instead denied Joseph’s request, issuing a five second violation which gave the ball to Arizona. Derrick Williams then proceeded to bank in a tough lay-up, being fouled in the process and making the free throw to give Arizona the lead. The Longhorns then missed a final desperation shot and the Wildcats advanced to the Sweet 16 70-69.

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