Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
College basketball
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 25, 2002
The Big Ten might suspend Indiana coach Mike Davis up to six games for charging onto the court in the waning moments of Saturday's game against Kentucky in Louisville.
In a letter to Indiana officials, the Big Ten said Davis violated the sportsmanlike behavior rule of the conference's ethical-conduct code. The rule prohibits coaches from "intentionally or with careless disregard for one's conduct, inciting participants or spectators to violent or abusive action."
"I can confirm that we've begun the dialogue process with the university," Big Ten spokeswoman Sue Lister said Tuesday. "We expect to hear from them by Friday."
Neither Davis nor Indiana interim athletic director Terry Clapacs could be reached for comment Tuesday. Clapacs told the Indianapolis Star the school would cooperate with the Big Ten.
"We will comply with the Big Ten's request and consider all of our options," Clapacs said. "We're taking this very seriously."
The code provides for suspensions of "up to 20 percent of all scheduled contests," which would be six games.
Davis charged onto the floor and screamed at officials near the end of a 70-64 loss at Freedom Hall. Davis thought IU guard Bracey Wright had been fouled on a drive to the basket.
Davis, who was ejected, expressed regret after the game and apologized to the officials, his players and Indiana fans. Reached by the Star on Monday, he indicated he would not fight sanctions.
"What I did was wrong, and I'll support Terry Clapacs and our administration with whatever they think is right," Davis said.
NORTH CAROLINA: The school will report a secondary recruiting violation to the NCAA after an assistant coach spoke to a high school player this month. Matt Doherty, coach of the No. 22 Tar Heels, said his staff would be careful not to repeat the mistake, one that is not likely to result in a serious penalty. Assistant Fred Quartlebaum spoke briefly to Justin Bohlander of Winston-Salem Reynolds after the recruit's Dec. 14 game. The conversation came during a period in which contact with players is not allowed. "I understand the rule," Doherty told the Herald-Sun of Durham. "But I think if those violations were turned in everywhere throughout the country, the NCAA would change the rules because that's all they would have to handle."
OBITUARY: Richie Regan, who spent nearly half a century at Seton Hall as a player, coach, athletic director and fund-raiser, died at 72 in Neptune, N.J. Mr. Regan was a starter from 1950-53, helping the team to a National Invitation Tournament title in 1953, when the tournament determined the national champion.