Robbed! Mississippi State Downed By Bad Officiating

The Mississippi State Bulldogs had to battle the fans, the talented team on the floor, and the officials. Despite the odds, they nearly pulled off a win in the SEC Championship final.

This is not an article about Kentucky. Congratulations to their team and fans. It was a hard fought game and both teams played very well. Kentucky had calls go against them during the game as well.

It is a knock on officiating and the use of replay. If you are not going to use the information available and make the right call, throw it out altogether and speed the game back up.

Near the end of regulation, Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe made the first of a one and one. The next shot was a purposeful miss. He arched the ball high, hit the back rim and the ball careened to the right, into the hands of an awaiting John Wall.

With under two seconds, the ball leaves the hands of John Wall. It was a poor shot. Fortunate for UK, DeMarcus Cousins grabbed the rebound, lowered his arms, and went straight back up.

As he rises to release the ball, the game clock can be seen on the side of the basket. The clock reads double zero. As the ball leaves his fingers, the red light outlining the backboard goes off simultaneously. Time had clearly expired.

Because of the post-shot reaction by the players and the overwhelming majority of UK fans stuffed into Bridgestone Arena, the officials would not overrule the call at regulation and sent the game into overtime.

It's too bad that the game could not have been called correctly. Mississippi State deserves a better fate. It was a great game by both teams. Excellent effort on both sides of the court and on the sidelines. Calipari and Stansberry coached very well and players executed under serious pressure and duress.

Jarvis Varnardo deserves a better ending to a great career. He had five blocks, 18 points, and nine rebounds in the game. He played the entire game and fought like a champion. He was the best player on the court in Bridgestone Arena. His career should end as a contender in the NCAA tournament.

This is a tragedy and a farce. Like everything else in the real world today, the United States is becoming a country ruled by the mob. It matters not what is right, only what the mob wants.

This loss will likely eliminate Mississippi State from postseason play in the NCAA tournament. The small market team will have to be satisfied with a postseason bid to the NIT.

Hats off to Kentucky and their fans. They literally stole the show. Even Calipari said after the game that Mississippi State deserved the win. He chose not to explain but he knows the truth, and he will remain silent.