In a game that swung like a pendulum, Notre Dame and Micah Shrewsberry were on the verge of another win. With just seconds to go, they just had to defend one possession cleanly, and the game was theirs. However, Dai Dai Ames, who had been a problem for the entire game with 19 points thus far, wasn’t going to make it easier. 

Cal quickly brought the ball up the court and handed the ball to Ames to do his thing. Ames let it fly from the left wing to tie the game with Logan Imes guarding him. To Shrewsberry and Imes’ horror, the referee called for a and-one after the shot went in.

In a strange version of events, the referees reversed that call to no foul, and California coach Mark Madsen was furious. After more deliberation, the referees returned to the original ruling and handed Ames a free throw, sending Cal ahead. 

Even after that, though, Notre Dame had an opportunity to win the game, but a three-pointer from Braeden Shrewsberry rimmed out, with Cal winning 72-71. And as the buzzer sounded, chaos ensued. Micah Shrewsberry sprinted from the bench towards the departing officials, trying to protest for the earlier four-point call. 

He had to be restrained by multiple assistant coaches and players. That included freshman Tommy Ahneman and graduate student Matthew MacLellan, assistant coaches Ryan Owens and Matt Farrelly. Owens appeared to yell “No!” at Shrewsberry multiple times. After some conversation with his fellow coaches and players, Shrewsberry regained composure and walked back towards the court. 

He shook hands with Cal head coach Mark Madsen and the rest of the Golden Bears, walking back to the locker room with his team. However, that doesn’t mean all is well and good with Shrewsberry.

He did not speak to reporters after the game. According to a team spokesperson, media in attendance did not request a postgame press conference, and no one from the Notre Dame beat made the trip out to Berkeley, California.

It was not the first time Shrewsberry had shown some aggression towards the officials. Last year against Syracuse, the Irish botched a 17-point lead. With less than a second left in the game, Shrewsberry lost it at the assistants and was awarded a double technical.

Shrewsberry has earned a reputation for being hot-headed, with several of his past press conference comments reflecting visible frustration. Despite this heated exit, the opposition head coach had some praise for Micah Shrewsberry after the game.

Cal Head Coach Sends Respect For Micah Shrewsberry

This game was the first time the teams had ever met in Berkeley. It was also the first time they faced off since the regular-season finale last year. That game was a much crazier roller coaster.

A 112-110 Irish win in four overtimes. That game had 14 lead changes and 17 ties, ending with a program record for an ACC game, 43 points from guard Markus Burton. This game was similar, but with more off-court drama.

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After leading for the majority of the first half, Notre Dame conceded it to a charging Cal. Then, a 9-0 run saw Notre Dame lead 67-65 with 19 seconds remaining and the ball. Unfortunately, Notre Dame once again couldn’t close out a single-possession game. Nonetheless, the coach, Mark Madsen, sent his respects to the Fighting Irish squad and Micah Shrewsberry after the game. 

“Could have gone either way. Two good teams battling, fighting,” Madsen said. “Nothing but respect for Notre Dame and for coach Shrewsberry. They played a great game. I thought we played a great game. An absolute battle.”

It looked like Madsen would be the one in the headlines after the referees first waved off the free throw before reinstating it. While Shrewsberry strongly disagreed with the decision, Madsen said the play by Imes was clearly a foul.

“I thought there was a foul going up, and I thought I saw the officials signal it, and so you know, they conversed a couple times, and they, they allowed it,” he said. “And so I think there’s so much emotion in that gym for the officials, for me, for the other team.”

In the end, the call stood, the result was final, and Notre Dame was left with another painful reminder of how thin the margins are in college basketball. However, this is the second public callout against referees in college basketball in a short while. If the trend continues, the NCAA might have to examine whether there is a problem.