Santa Clara timeout controversy, explained: Herb Sendek 'unequivocally called timeout' before Kentucky forced OT

The Santa Clara Broncos were seconds away from taking down No. 7 Kentucky. After a closer look, some fans believe the game should have been paused before Otega Oweh's game-tying shot at the buzzer.

Santa Clara's coach, Herb Sendek, was seen motioning to the referee that he wanted a timeout just after Allen Graves hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to put the Broncos up 73-70 with 2.2 seconds left. However, the referee did not see Sendek's request, and a couple of seconds later, Kentucky had equalized.

Here's more on Sendek's argument and whether he should have been granted a timeout.

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Did Santa Clara call timeout?

With 9.9 seconds left, Santa Clara marched down the court and hit a go-ahead three, leaving 2.2 seconds left on the clock for Kentucky to inbound the ball. Sendek can be seen motioning for a timeout call and running down the sideline towards the referee, but the timeout was not given.

Here is a video that highlights Sendek's unsuccessful effort. 

Santa Clara head coach Herb Sendek was trying to call a timeout before Kentucky nailed a three at the buzzer. #NCAATournament #MarchMadness https://t.co/JuUQfHyYms pic.twitter.com/lGbQvrfOsJ

Santa Clara was technically allowed to call for a timeout after their own score, due to the inbound being a dead-ball play. However, the referee did not have see Sendek's call.

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What did Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek say?

In the postgame interview with the press, Sendek did not mince his words and was adamant that he called the timeout. According to the Broncos' coach, it was a perfectly normal time to call a timeout. 

Here is Sendek's full quote about the situation:

“I unequivocally called timeout,” Sendek said. “But they didn’t grant it. I mean, I think the video evidence is clear. And anybody is able to pull it up.

“It’s a likely response after Allen hits the 3 that the coach would be calling timeout to set the defense, which I tried to do, and I was successful in doing, other than it wasn’t acknowledged.”

Santa Clara head coach Herb Sendek says he called a timeout before Kentucky's buzzer-beater, but wasn't granted one. pic.twitter.com/o90JqdY1cx

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Herb Sendek coaching career

In his 31-year career, Sendek has coached Miami (Ohio), NC State, Arizona State and Santa Clara. He is one of the 131 college basketball coaches to break the 600-win mark in his career.

Across four teams and over 30 seasons, he has a 600-423 record across 1023 games. Here is a record breakdown across his four coached teams:

• Miami (Ohio) (1993-94 until 1995-96): 63-26; 89 games
• NC State (1996-97 until 2005-06): 191-132; 323 games
• Arizona State (2006-07 until 2014-15): 159-137; 296 games
• Santa Clara (2016-17 until present): 187-128; 315 games

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