TBS broadcaster Stan Van Gundy had a strong reaction when no foul was called when Illinois forward David Mirkovic was hit in the face by Houston’s Joseph “JoJo” Tugler early in Thursday’s Sweet 16 game.
Mirkovic was dribbling near the right wing when, while trying to dribble toward the lane, Tugler hit Mirkovic along his left jawline.
“Hit to the face there by Tugler,” TBS broadcaster Robbie Hummel said initially reacting to Tugler hitting Mirkovic.
The incident happened with just over 18 minutes left in the first half.
“That would have been Tugler’s second foul in the first two minutes of the game — that was Tugler’s second foul,” Van Gundy said. “Tugler got away with two fouls right there. (Houston Cougars head coach) Kelvin Sampson knew it. … That’s an obvious foul. … Kelvin Sampson just told him, ‘You got to be smart.'”
Hummel pointed out that Tugler committed the third most fouls in the Big 12 Conference during the regular season.
“To me, it’s not the number,” Van Gundy said. “It’s how you get them. Like when you play as hard as JoJo Tugler, you’re going to get some. But they can’t be like that.”
Mirkovic stayed in the game after getting hit in the face. At the time the play occurred, Illinois led Houston 2-0.
No. 2 seed Houston entered Thursday’s matchup 30-6 overall. Most recently, Houston defeated No. 10 seed Texas A&M 88-57 on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament second round. No. 3-seeded Illinois came into the contest with a 26-8 record. On Saturday, Illinois beat No. 11 seed VCU 76-55 in the NCAA Tournament second round.
