And college basketball has its first clock controversy of the season.

Michigan State was pushed to the brink at home Sunday night, barely holding off a good Florida Gulf Coast team. But it was the final sequence -- and a snafu with the game clock -- that has people talking. First, Gulf Coast was docked too much time when MSU's Miles Bridges impressively swatted away this inbound pass.

It doesn't take 0.8 seconds from Bridges knocking the ball back to it landing out of bounds, but that's how much time was docked.

The next play, the last of the game, is where the controversy really lies, though. The clock starts too soon, and because of that, the horn comes while FGCU's Antravious Simmons is attempting the shot. It's reasonable to conclude that the unexpected horn -- Simmons had 1.6 to get the shot off, and surely knew he'd be able to with a catch-and-shoot -- could have impacted Simmons' attempt.

In fact, Simmons' shot went long; an airball. Spartans 78, Eagles 77.

Here's the botched sequence. Christian Terrell's pass is pretty great, considering he had the soup sent back by Bridges a few seconds prior.

Monday afternoon, the Big Ten sent out a statement on the matter. It reads in full:

"Big Ten Associate Commissioner and Men's Basketball Collegiate Officiating Consortium Coordinator Executive Director Rick Boyages acknowledged an officiating timing error during the final play of the Florida Gulf Coast at Michigan State men's basketball game on Sunday, Nov. 20.

"While the on-court officials and Michigan State timekeeper have the ability to start and stop the clock, after a complete review of the timing error on the game's final play with 1.6 seconds remaining, it was confirmed that a game official improperly set the clock in motion via his Precision Timing belt pack. The subsequent adjudication of rules, allowing for use of the courtside video monitor and a hand-held digital stopwatch to determine whether the shot was released prior to expiration, and if there was any time remaining in the game, were properly administered.

"All officials assigned by the Collegiate Officiating Consortium are graded and evaluated on every play of every game throughout the season. Officials are held accountable pursuant to policies and procedures established by both the Big Ten Conference and the Men's Basketball Collegiate Officiating Consortium.

"The Men's Basketball Collegiate Officiating Consortium, LLC provides regional oversight of officiating operations in the Big Ten, Horizon League, Mid-American Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Summit League and Northern Sun. The consortium considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment."

Here's what's so frustrating for FGCU: Had the ball gone in, the bucket would have counted -- and been determined on video review that Simmons got the shot off in time -- and FGCU would've won despite the clock error and premature horn. Gulf Coast would've had arguably the most impressive road win in college hoops so far this season. FGCU entered as a 14.5-point underdog.

No take-backs on the goof, though, and so Gulf Coast coach Joe Dooley has every right to be furious with the end result. His team played tremendously -- better than most other teams will in that building this season.

The problem is circular. Yes, Simmons missed the shot, but it's entirely plausible his ability to make the shot was discernibly affected by the horn blaring too early. But the rule book states that no possessions can be replayed at the end of the game after time has expired.

More context from the postgame scene, via a Michigan State beat reporter.


Gulf Coast will head home as a 1-3 team that's currently boasting the 11th-toughest schedule in the country. This group fell at Baylor in a competitive game on Friday, and opened the season with a loss against Florida.

For MSU, the win keeps an impressive streak going. The Spartans have not lost a home game in November in 30 years, since 1986 vs. Navy.

In the win, MSU got a big boost from a player that needed it most. Senior Eron Harris had 31 points (6-of-6 from deep), the most he's ever had in a Spartans uniform. Izzo called out Harris in his postgame presser after the Champions Classic last Tuesday. It's clear he heard the message. Ironically, Harris' two missed foul shots on MSU's last possession are what set up the game's disputable final play.