ACC Reprimands Notre Dame’s Shrewsberry for Charging Ref After Controversial Loss

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) publicly reprimanded Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry following a post-game incident. The reprimand came after Shrewsberry confronted a referee aggressively after Notre Dame’s narrow 72-71 loss to California on January 3, 2026.

Details of the Controversial Game

In the last moments of the game, controversy erupted over a foul call. With just 9.9 seconds remaining, Notre Dame’s Braeden Shrewsberry made two free throws, putting the Irish ahead by three. Coach Micah Shrewsberry instructed guard Logan Imes to commit a foul as Cal’s Dai Dai Ames advanced across half court.

Key Moments

• After a reach-in from Imes, Ames completed a shot, which was initially called an and-1 by official Adam Flore.
• Flore later reversed his decision, calling the foul on the floor instead.
• The final ruling allowed Ames to score and earn a free throw, giving Cal a one-point lead.

As the game concluded, and with Notre Dame needing to score with mere seconds left, Braeden Shrewsberry missed a game-winning three-pointer. Following the buzzer, Micah Shrewsberry approached the officiating crew, leading to the ACC’s reprimand.

ACC’s Statement

The ACC condemned Shrewsberry’s behavior. “The unsportsmanlike conduct displayed is unacceptable and tarnishes the on-court play,” read their statement. They added that the matter is considered closed and will not receive further commentary.

Coaches’ Reactions

Cal’s coach, Mark Madsen, expressed satisfaction with the officials’ final decision. He acknowledged the pressure of the moment, highlighting Ames’ performance under pressure.

In a statement following the incident, Shrewsberry took responsibility for his actions. He acknowledged that his conduct did not reflect the values expected from a leader at Notre Dame.

Conclusion

This incident serves as a reminder of the intense emotions surrounding competitive sports. Coaches and players must maintain professionalism, even in heated situations. The ACC aims to uphold sportsmanship standards within its conference while allowing room for necessary disciplinary measures.