Sporting News Columnist Blasts Ref for Blown Call in Houston vs. Iowa State Game

Mike DeCourcy criticized the official's mistake that may have changed the outcome of the top-10 matchup.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 2:47pm

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In a close game between No. 6 Houston and No. 8 Iowa State, an incorrect call by the referee on a key play late in the second half drew the ire of Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy. The ref ruled a Houston steal as a kickball, negating what would have been a 10-point Cougars lead, and Iowa State hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to make it a 5-point game. DeCourcy blasted the official on social media for the mistake, which he felt altered the course of the game, though Houston coach Kelvin Sampson chose not to dwell on the call after the 70-67 loss.

Why it matters

The blown call in a matchup of top-10 teams is significant, as it potentially impacted the outcome of an important Big 12 Conference game. Missed or incorrect calls by officials are a frequent source of controversy in college basketball, and this incident highlights the impact those mistakes can have, especially in close, high-stakes games.

The details

With just over 6 minutes left and Houston leading by 8, Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey attempted a pass that was deflected by Houston's Joseph Tugler. The ball was then stolen by Isiah Harwell, who had a clear path to the basket for a Houston score. However, the officials ruled it a kickball on Tugler, negating the turnover. Iowa State hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, cutting the Cougars' lead to 5 points. Tugler pleaded with the officials to review the play, but kickball calls are not reviewable.

  • With just over 6 minutes left in the second half, the controversial play occurred.

The players

Mike DeCourcy

A columnist for The Sporting News who heavily criticized the officials' call after the game.

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston Cougars, who chose not to dwell on the controversial call after the game.

Joseph Tugler

The Houston player who had the ball deflected by his hand, not his foot, leading to the incorrect kickball call.

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What they’re saying

“We've all seen bad calls in college basketball, but Houston just lost a firm grip on its game at Iowa State because an official couldn't tell a hand from a foot. Think about that.”

— Mike DeCourcy, Columnist (The Sporting News)

What’s next

The Cougars will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host Arizona, followed by a matchup at Kansas next Monday.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with officiating in college basketball and the significant impact missed or incorrect calls can have, especially in close games between highly ranked teams. While coaches may choose not to dwell on such calls, the controversy surrounding them often lingers and sparks debate about the need for improved officiating standards and accountability.