Kentucky didn't play perfectly, nor did Auburn. If I am honest, this was an ugly basketball game between two teams that are desperately trying to get out of a funk. Auburn had lost 5 straight, Kentucky had lost 2 straight, and both were sliding right out of the NCAA Tournament.
The game was a back-and-forth battle in the first half, Kentucky asserted control early in the second, and watched as Auburn did what they usually do.
The Tigers roared all the way back from down 9, making two free throws to cut Kentucky's lead to just 1 with 14.3 to go. What happened next will be talked about for a long time.
Auburn flips the script and cools off Kentucky's second half dominance
We talked before the game about how Kentucky was 11th in the country with 45 points per game scored in the second half. Auburn was giving up 42 points per game in the second, which is 325th in the country. Kentucky actually had a 4-point lead heading to half, but only managed 35 points in half number 2.
It all led to the finish that has people feeling all kinds of ways. Otega Oweh was inbounding the ball to Collin Chandler, who was clearly being held. He extends his arm, like all guards do when getting clear of a hold. The refs called a charge. You be the judge:
Offensive foul? You be the judge. pic.twitter.com/5iago7BOVj
— Drew Holbrook (@DrewWBN) February 22, 2026
Unbelievable.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) February 22, 2026
Collin Chandler does push off, but is held prior to the inbounds pass. Neither called 95%+ of the time in the final seconds.
Officials inserting themselves, affecting the outcome. pic.twitter.com/1vrHEA4VIo
Auburn would miss 2 shots before Elyjah Freeman found the bottom of the net on a putback. Collin Chandler tried to recreate that LSU magic with a throw down court to Moreno. KeShawn Murphy got a touch on it, and Moreno couldn't bring the pass in. The clock ran out, and Kentucky couldn't get a shot off.
But it was that sequence with Chandler that had everyone talking.
Kentucky's players couldn't believe it, and neither could their head coach.
Mark Pope, Collin Chandler, and Otega Oweh's reactions say it all. pic.twitter.com/3puKzp9Rxe
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) February 22, 2026
Not gonna lie that last call I don’t get…
— Mario A Maitland (@MarioMaitland_3) February 22, 2026
Like who calls that in crunch time like that…
Like what was Collin Chandler suppose to do 😂
I mean really, what was he supposed to do? Just stand there being held while the refs kept the whistles in their pocket?
Collin Chandler was called for a foul in this for shoving, but I guess it’s completely ok for Pettiford to hold him? @GregSankey @SEC @SECOfficiating #Investigate pic.twitter.com/sgPFPa2bZD
— Second Take (@SecondTake20) February 22, 2026
Say what you want about that pathetic call against Collin Chandler. But UK could have also not given Auburn 3 chances to win with the 2nd offensive rebound.
— Keith Farmer (@KeithFarmer18) February 22, 2026
Keith is right, the Cats needed to get a rebound and couldn't come up with it.
Kentucky lost this game in a million other ways without the refs' help...
— WT - Mo D Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) February 22, 2026
... BUT THE ONLY REASON WHY COLLIN CHANDLER HAD TO GENTLY PUSH OFF WAS BECAUSE THE DEFENDER WAS HOLDING HIS BACK! CALL ALL THE FOULS! pic.twitter.com/gLYP0lwOFx
You've heard of selective hearing; this group of refs had selective whistles. They selectively forgot to blow it on Auburn.
Bad call or not, Kentucky should have won this game. They didn't, and now the Cats are 17-10 and in danger of missing the tournament with some really tough games coming up with trips to South Carolina and Texas A&M, while hosting Vanderbilt and Florida at home.
There is no cushion on the bubble, and that is where Kentucky finds itself.