The Tennessee Volunteers got bounced out of the NCAA Tournament by Florida Atlantic in Madison Square Garden on Thursday night — and one player didn’t take it well.
After squandering their first half lead to the Owls, the Vols’ 7-foot-1 forward Uros Plavsic took out some frustration by elbow-checking Vladislav Goldin, sending him to the ground.
The play occurred at the 7:32 mark of the second half, just as the Owls stretched their lead to seven with a 3 from Alijah Martin.
Officials reviewed the play during a timeout, giving Plavsic a Flagrant 1 foul and awarding Goldin two free throws with FAU keeping possession afterwards.
This isn’t the first time Plavsic has been suspected of questionable plays.
Previously, in the Round of 32, the Serbia native tortured Duke’s star big man Kyle Filipowski in their 65-52 win over the Blue Devils.
Filopowski weighed in on Plavsic’s latest elbow episode.
“Speaking from experience I don’t think this is a basketball play…” he tweeted over a video of the play.
Plavsic’s physical play gave Florida Atlantic further momentum as they pulled away for the win at MSG.
Vladislav Goldin #50 of the Florida Atlantic Owls falls to the ground against Uros Plavsic #33 of the Tennessee Volunteers.Getty ImagesThe Owls, however, were prepared for Plavsic’s mischief.
After their win against Fair Dickenson on Sunday, head coach Dusty May had a comical answer in his postgame press conference about the upcoming matchup.
“We’re going to study Australian rugby rules and get ready for the Vols,” he cracked.
Goldin also knew what he and his teammates were getting themselves into.
Volunteers forward Uros Plavsic (33) exchanges words with Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin.USA TODAY Sports
Entering the NCAA tournament at 31-3, FAU boasts their best record in program history while making their first ever sweet sixteen Getty Images “They can play dirty sometimes from what I have seen,” Goldin told reporters before the matchup. “So we just have to stay focused.”
Now the Owls focus their attention to third-seeded Kansas State as they continue their Cinderella run with a chance to reach the program’s first ever Final Four.
