Charles Barkley: Sean Miller made 'mistake' benching Matas Vokietaitis for final possession vs. Purdue
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- Texas lost to Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen on a buzzer-beater putback by Trey Kaufman-Renn with 0.7 seconds remaining, after tying the game on a three-point play.
- Charles Barkley criticized Texas coach Sean Miller for not having big man Matas Vokietaitis on the court during the final possession, despite Vokietaitis having four fouls, arguing he was needed to prevent an offensive rebound.
- Vokietaitis, Texas's second-leading scorer and rebounder, had nine points and two rebounds in 23 minutes but was benched at a critical moment, which Barkley called a "screw-up."
- Texas pushed Purdue to the brink in a close game, with Tramon Mark scoring 29 points despite an ankle injury, and Dailyn Swain contributing 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
- Purdue's Oscar Cluff also fouled out, but the Boilermakers secured the win after Braden Smith's missed jumper was rebounded and scored by Kaufman-Renn.
