Louisville: Jennings Suspended for Cards’ Win Against Ragin’ Cajuns

Louisville coach Rick Pitino suspended sophomore Terrence Jennings for violating team rules for the team’s game against Louisiana-Lafayette Wednesday, according to a Sporting News report.

The Cardinals beat the Ragin’ Cajuns 84-69 without their starting forward who averages 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Fellow sophomore Samardo Samuels picked up the slack with career highs of 29 points and 15 rebounds. Pitino wanted to start Jennings and Samuels side by side before he decided to suspend Jennings, who should be available when Louisville faces Radford Dec. 27.

Virginia: Bennett Dismisses Jamil Tucker

Virginia coach Tony Bennett has booted senior forward Jamil Tucker from the team because Tucker has not met academic standards, according to a university press release.

Tucker was suspended to start the season and rejoined the team in practice Nov. 27, but he didn’t play any games this season. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game last season, and Tucker figured to play a bigger role this season.

However, Bennett said Tucker failed to meet the academic standards of the Cavalier program, despite receiving extra time off during his suspension in November to improve his grades.

Kentucky: Wildcats Notch Win No. 2,000

Kentucky slapped around overmatched Drexel en route to an 88-44 win, the 2,000th in the storied program’s history, according to the Associated Press.

The Wildcats doubled up the Dragons with freshman DeMarcus Cousins and senior Patrick Patterson putting up 18 points apiece. They each scored more than the entire Kentucky team did in its first win as a program: an 11-10 game against Lexington YMCA Feb. 18, 1903.

The program has had numerous legendary coaches, with Adolph Rupp, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith patrolling the sidelines and racking up the wins for the Wildcats. Rupp led Kentucky to its 1,000th win in 1969, and 40 years later, the Wildcats doubled that number.

North Carolina State: Smith Sounds Off, Earns Suspension

North Carolina State junior forward Tracy Smith will miss the Wolfpack’s game against Arizona Dec. 23 after earning a suspension for criticizing officials, according to an Associated Press report.

Smith criticized the referees in the Wolfpack’s 67-59 loss to Wake Forest, saying that they called too many “touch fouls” and “favored Wake Forest all the way.” He later apologized for mouthing off after a tough loss.

Smith fouled out with more than five minutes remaining, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

For the game, North Carolina State had 25 fouls to Wake Forest’s 19. The Demon Deacons had a slight advantage in free throw attempts: 23 to 19.

Duke: Reserve Forward Leaves Team

Duke sophomore forward Olek Czyz will leave the team and transfer to another school, according to a Duke press release.

In 10.2 minutes per game, Czyz averages 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds. He has six big men ahead of him in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s frontcourt rotation.

Czyz is originally from Poland. He played in 19 games in about a season and a half with the Blue Devils.

Indiana State: Marshall Returns to Team

After missing one game because of suspension, senior guard Harry Marshall returns to Indiana State’s lineup against IUPUI Dec. 23, according to a university press release.

Marshall averages 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Sycamores. He’s the team’s second-leading scorer. He was suspended one game for violating team rules.

Minnesota: White Quits Team Via YouTube

Minnesota freshman forward Royce White announced via YouTube that he will quit Minnesota, according to an Associated Press report.

White has been suspended all season while police investigate whether he was involved in the theft of a laptop from a dorm room. White said the investigation has been stressful to him and his family, and the legal troubles are the catalyst for his decision to leave the team.

White is Minnesota’s top recruit entering this season, but he has not played a minute for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota officials said White has not told anyone who works in the athletic department about his decision to leave the team.

St. John’s: Red Storm Must Wait Three More Weeks for Mason

St. John’s senior forward Anthony Mason Jr. will miss three more weeks while recovering from a hamstring injury, according to CBSSports.com.

Mason first injured his hamstring in September, then aggravated it in October. Doctors recommended that he sit for four to six weeks and undergo rehab to strengthen the muscle.

However, Mason is not ready to play yet. He missed most of last season with a foot injury after posting strong statistics as a junior, averaging 14.0 points per game.

NCAA Takes on Concussions

The NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee recommended that the NCAA should approve a new rule that would sideline athletes who suffer a concussion for the rest of the day, according to a CBSSports.com report.

The committee is following in the footsteps of the NFL, which published new guidelines for handling concussions after seemingly more players suffered concussions this season. According to the NCAA, in some sports, concussions account for as many as 10 percent of all injuries to student-athletes.

The committee’s guidelines would require a player to miss the rest of a game or practice if he or she loses consciousness, suffers amnesia or exhibits persistent confusion. During games, referees would enforce the rule like they do for players who get cut.

However, the rule could have some gray area because teams and referees are encouraged to look out for milder symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness.

The committee’s recommendations move to the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which could pass them as early as January.

Clemson: Lithuanian Reserve to Graduate, Go Pro

Clemson senior center Karolis Petrukonis will graduate tomorrow with a degree in economics, then leave the team to pursue professional opportunities in Lithuania, according to a university press release.

The native Lithuanian plays sparingly as a reserve for the Tigers. In five games this season, he averages 1.0 points and 0.2 rebounds in 3.4 minutes per game. That’s his best scoring average in three-plus seasons.

“I can’t say enough good things about Karolis,” said Head Coach Oliver Purnell. “He’s worked extremely hard on the court and in the classroom, and he’s graduating in three and a half years. We wish him well in his pursuit of professional basketball opportunities closer to home.”