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The Missouri Valley Conference released a statement Monday regarding the officiating of the Wichita State-Illinois State game and the final minute of the game, involving Shocker sophomore Tekele Cotton.
“The Missouri Valley Conference has disciplined the basketball game officials for their administration of awarded free throws in the final moments of the Wichita State – Illinois State game on Sunday night at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois. Following a monitor review with :40 remaining, the officiating crew assessed a Flagrant 1 technical foul to Illinois State’s Jackie Carmichael. The incorrect student-athlete from Wichita State shot the ensuing free throws. As with all officiating and personnel matters, discipline is being handled internally.”
The statement is referring to the infamous 'kick' play near the end of the game. In that play, Jackie Carmichael was ruled to have kicked Tekele Cotton in the upper chest/face area while coming down from a rebound. The foul was not initially called on the court but Gregg Marshall's protest to the referees forced them to take another look at the play. Once they reviewed the play Wichita State was awarded two free-throws and posession of the ball. The free-throws should have been taken by the player who was fouled, being Tekele Cotton. However the referees incorrectly allowed Cleanthony Early to take the shots.