The Redbirds lost to Wichita State at Redbird Arena Sunday. (Photo By B Corbin/WJBC)

By Paul Morello

ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Valley Conference has disciplined the officials from Sunday night's Illinois State vs. Wichita State game, but not for the reason some Redbird fans might expect.

Valley Commissioner Doug Elgin released a statement Monday which said the officials awarded free throws to the incorrect Wichita State player after Jackie Carmichael was called for a flagrant technical foul.

"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," the release said.

League coaches weighed in on the Carmichael play and on monitor reviews in the most recent edition of Lefty's Corner

The statement does not address whether the officials were correct in issuing the delayed call against Carmichael after his foot made contact with a Wichita State player while he was rebounding the ball.

After the game, Carmichael said he did not intentionally kick the Shocker player.

"I jumped as high as I possibly could, tried to grab the ball and I was trying to obviously protect myself from getting hit while coming down and I guess someone walked into my foot," he said.

Illinois State lost on a late three by Cleanthony Early, 68-67. 

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.