Not feeling Minnesota without 2 key players
Posted: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:26 PM
Filed Under:
Big Ten
Whoa. Minnesota déjà vu.
A day after announcing that forward Trevor Mbwake won’t play until his court issues are resolved, Gophers coach Tubby Smith revealed that star freshman Royce White is suspended indefinitely. He faces misdemeanor charges of theft and fifth-degree assault after being accused of shoplifting at the Mall of America.
Senior guard Devron Bostick also was suspended, but police were unaware of him being involved in the mall incident.
So, for those who missed it yesterday, that leaves Minnesota without its top two newcomers, a pair of skilled, athletic 6-8 forwards who could eventually start for a Top 25 team.
The Gophers should be among the Big Ten’s better teams this season, but as long as Mbakwe and White aren’t playing, they’re not a serious contender in March. And it doesn't sound like Smith is keen on reinstating those guys anytime soon.
“It could be two games. It could be five, six. It could be more,” Smith said, adding: “It could be 20. It depends on what I want, what I decide.
“If you do something wrong, our guys know that playing time ... is a privilege. We expect them to conduct themselves in a proper way. When they don’t, unfortunately they force our hands and force us to do something we really don’t want to do.”
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