Damian Lillard SLAMS referees after Iowa beats West Virginia in March Madness… fueling conspiracy theories as fans accuse NCAA of rigging game to ensure star Caitlin Clark stays in

Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes advance to the Sweet 16. But many people on social media believe that the referees in their matchup against West Virginia were not calling the game fairly.

In a physical contest that ended with a 64-54 Hawkeyes victory, people were shocked by the discrepancy in fouls and free throws between the two teams.

West Virginia had two players fouled out and four players with four fouls, while only being called for five foul shots. Meanwhile, Iowa had no players close to fouling and made 25 of 30 foul shots.

Not only is it a 30-5 free throw discrepancy, but the Hawkeyes were only flagged for 11 fouls while the Mountaineers were flagged for 27 throughout the game.

Several people expressed their displeasure on Twitter, including Milwaukee Bucks star point guard Damian Lillard.

Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard criticized the quality of the referees in the contest

JJ Quinerly was one of two WVU players to foul as her team shot 25 fewer free throws.

“I feel like these refs did the West Virginia women’s team wrong,” the Bucks guard tweeted Monday night.

People in their tweet replies and quotes seemed to amplify a wild conspiracy theory that the NCAA rigged this game to get a rematch of last year’s Iowa-LSU title game in the Elite Eight. There is no evidence of corruption surrounding the tournament.

“The NCAA will not allow their star player/money maker to be cut so soon,” reads a response to Lillard’s tweet.

Mmmmm!! ‘It’s all about money!!’ wrote another.

Elsewhere, there was a lot of commentary about the quality of the officiating, with many saying the referees robbed West Virginia.

Social media posts criticized the referees, and some promoted conspiracy theories.

One observer added: ‘This is absurd. Absolutely infuriating. I feel sorry for the West Virginia team. They have played a better game than Iowa and will not receive any reward. I hope these referees do not advance.”

“These Iowa denials are crazy,” another user wrote. ‘West Virginia has received no help from the referees. “They probably should have won.”

Another post read: ‘Referees making sure Caitlin Clark and Iowa don’t get upset.’ Laughably obvious. “West Virginia deserves this victory.”

Pulling towards West Virginia, another user said. ‘These referees should be investigated, my friend. Doing everything he can to cheat for Iowa.

Another said, “West Virginia, you did your best, but you didn’t have enough to take on the referees and Iowa.”

This is not the only time in recent days that the referees of the women’s tournament have been criticized for calling unbalanced fouls. In fact, LSU was on the positive side of its close victory on Sunday.

While the Tigers ended up rallying and winning in dominant style, that was in part because they only committed 16 fouls, while Middle Tennessee State was called for 31.

LSU also shot 37 free throws, while MTSU only made 9.