Nique Clifford criticized for not being ejected

In a recent NCAA tournament game, Colorado State's Nique Clifford faced criticism after an incident involving Maryland's Jordan Geronimo. Fans and analysts are questioning whether Clifford should have been ejected for elbowing Geronimo during the first half of the match. The game took place in Seattle, where Clifford played a key role in helping Colorado State to a seven-point lead at halftime. However, a collision with Geronimo raised concerns. Instant replay showed that Clifford appeared to look at Geronimo before swinging his elbow, leading many to believe the foul was intentional. Geronimo was knocked to the ground and stayed there for over two minutes before returning to the game. Despite the unsettling nature of the incident, the referees did not review the play. TBS refereeing expert Gene Steratore commented that it could have warranted a Flagrant 2 foul, which would have resulted in an ejection. This decision left many Maryland fans frustrated, especially given the frequency of other reviews in the tournament. On social media, people criticized the officials for not taking the time to assess the situation. Many felt that Clifford's actions deserved more scrutiny, especially since he is considered a star player. As the game progressed, Colorado State and Maryland were tied at 64-64 with Clifford contributing significantly on the court. The controversy surrounding his elbow to Geronimo remains a hot topic among fans and commentators alike.