The Indiana Hoosiers have suspended five basketball players for “disciplinary reasons” ahead of Tuesday night’s Big Ten basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats.
Indiana head coach Mike Woodson announced shortly before tip-off that
And confirmation from IU. Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, Tamar Bates, Khristian Lander, Michael Durr all out tonight for disciplinary reasons.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) February 9, 2022
Been asked a few times if the suspension for this suspension is three games. IU release didn't say it's definitely not three games, but the wording was "will not play tonight."
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) February 9, 2022
Additionally, guard Rob Phinisee is out due to injury.
The Hoosiers will play the game without a traditional point guard.
Starters officially announced, again, for IU: Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, Trayce Jackson-Davis. NU: Boo Buie, Chase Audige, Julian Roper II, Pete Nance, Robbie Beran.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) February 9, 2022
IU will not have an active point guard tonight. #iubb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) February 9, 2022
Johnson has been Indiana’s starting point guard, averaging 10.6 points (third on the team) and a team-high 4.5 assists per game. Stewart has also been a starter, averaging 6.9 points per game (fourth on the team) to go with a team-best 45.1 three-point percentage.
From KenPom:#iubb is going to be missing a lot tonight…
Hoosier fans, How you feeling about the suspensions? https://t.co/uqbOtWfNbQ pic.twitter.com/fhghr4Mu8F
— Griffin Gonzalez (@grifgonzo) February 9, 2022
So, these are pretty significant losses for Indiana, and it’s obviously crushing to their depth. And this is a team that needs to keep winning games to boost their at-large hopes, entering Tuesday ranked 33rd in the NET.
It will be interesting to see if Indiana reveals more details on what led to the suspensions.
