One whistle to rule them all. Auburn knows that tune too well. Their dream run to a first-ever Final Four in 2019 ended not with a buzzer-beater, but a whistle. The scoreboard read Virginia 63, Auburn 62—but that didn’t tell the story. The sound of the whistle still echoes louder than the cheers. And as Duke prepares to face Houston in the 2025 Final Four, the presence of that same whistle—James Breeding’s—has once again set off alarms across the college basketball landscape.
With 0.6 seconds left, Breeding signaled a foul on Doughty as Virginia’s Kyle Guy attempted a three. Guy sank all three free throws. Bryce Brown’s final heave for Auburn came up short. Season over. That moment, preceded by a missed double dribble by Ty Jerome just seconds earlier, is now stitched into Auburn basketball history like a bad scar.
“I just didn’t think it was a foul, but the refs thought otherwise,” Brown said. “Can’t go back and rewind it, so…” Six years later, Breeding is back—selected once again to officiate on the sport’s biggest stage.
The NCAA announced its Final Four crew for 2025, with Breeding named to the high-stakes Houston vs. Duke semifinal alongside Keith Kimble and Doug Shows.
According to a post on X by NCAA Men’s Final Four “Officiating assignments for #MFinalFour weekend have been determined: Florida vs Auburn: Roger Ayers, Tony Padilla, Courtney Green, AJ Desai (standby) Houston vs Duke:Keith Kimble, James Breeding, Doug Shows, Michael Irving (standby)#NationalChampionship: Ron Groover, Doug Sirmons, Terry Oglesby, TBD (standby)”
Officiating assignments for #MFinalFour weekend have been determined:
Florida vs Auburn:
Roger Ayers, Tony Padilla, Courtney Green, AJ Desai (standby)
Houston vs Duke:
Keith Kimble, James Breeding, Doug Shows, Michael Irving (standby)#NationalChampionship:
Ron Groover, Doug…
— NCAA Men’s Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 5, 2025
Duke fans may see it as a silent edge. Critics call it something else. Because Breeding’s presence brings baggage.
According to a 2022 New York Times article Hunter Patterson said this about, Breeding “can be almost impossible to talk to. Difficult disposition.” That image—gruff, rigid, unswayed—has made him one of the most divisive figures in college basketball officiating.
To Auburn, he’s a villain. To the NCAA, he’s elite. “Similar to how teams advance in the tournament with exceptional performances, these officials have been deemed the best amongst their peers,” said Chris Rastatter, national coordinator of officiating, defending the committee’s Final Four picks.
But perception often trumps policy in college hoops. Especially when your season—or legacy—comes down to one whistle. And that’s why many in the basketball community are reeling. Because as Breeding returns to the biggest stage, the memory of that 2019 Auburn heartbreak isn’t just alive—it’s bleeding.
Duke may not have drawn the easier team. But they just might’ve drawn the better whistle. at least that’s what the fans think.
One fan claimed: “The fix is in… Duke already the winner. Just hand them the trophy.”
More to Follow….
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