Did Kentucky get robbed by the referees in buzzer-beater loss to LSU?

LSU beat Kentucky with a buzzer-beater, but did the refs blow the call?

Kentucky suffered a last-second loss at home to LSU that will be tough to get over due to a questionable non-call by the referees.

The Wildcats dropped a heartbreaker to the No. 19 LSU Tigers in a 73-71 win, which came in a tight contest that went down to the wire, with LSU Forward Kavell Bigby-Williams tipping in a missed Tigers shot with just under a second left on the clock.

The shot, which came dangerously close to being tipped inside of the cylinder, came with many questions and comments from Kentucky fans, in what might have been one of the most controversial calls of the season. John Calipari’s Wildcats lost the game in what proved to be a contested situation, with many thinking that LSU got away with an offensive interference on Bigby-Williams’ game-winning shot.

That said, according to the NCAA rule book, the basket shouldn’t have been reviewed. As such, the officials only took a matter of seconds to decide on the verdict, declaring that the LSU basket counted.

As is the case with many of the biggest games of the sporting year, the game was full of calls that fans felt should’ve gone the other way. Just like the Kentucky tip-in at the end of the game on Tuesday night at the Rupp Arena, LSU fans felt (with pretty convincing evidence) that Kentucky had gotten away with goaltending down the stretch of the game, with Kentucky’s PJ Washington (who scored twenty points on the night) appearing to stick his hand through the basket.

The No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats fell, despite solid outings from players including the previously mentioned Washington, who also had 9 rebounds, along with Keldon Johnson, who contributed 16 points with 6 rebounds.

LSU was led, as is typical, by some solid performances from guard Tremont Waters, who chimed in with 15 points and 5 assists including some clutch buckets down the stretch. Naz Reid also had a big game, with 12 points and 7 rebounds despite accumulating four fouls with over ten minutes left in the game.

It was a tough game from both sides, with many calls that could’ve gone one way or the other. Regardless, this loss for the Wildcats could prove to be a big game down the stretch, with the Wildcats still looking to fight for one of the top seeds come March Madness.

The win goes down as a big win for the Will Wade’s Tigers, who look to build on promising wins and a 6-0 record in road SEC games.

Questionable calls? You be the judge.