The Norman Transcript

OU Sports

January 12, 2007

Longar suspended

Oklahoma’s Longar Longar was hit with a two-game suspension by the Big 12 Conference Friday in response to the elbowing incident with Texas Tech forward Esmir Rizvic in last Saturday’s game.

The Sooners’ center caught a pass beyond the 3-point line early in the second half and while turning to face the basket caught Rizvic under the right eye. Rizvic sustained a fractured eye socket and underwent corrective surgery Monday.

Longar was given an flagrant foul after the play, but was not ejected.

“After careful evaluation of videotape and review of Oklahoma’s written report, I have concluded that Mr. Longar’s act is in violation of the Big 12 Conference’s Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship,” Big 12 Conference commissioner Kevin Weiberg said in a released statement. “On the play, Mr. Longar leads with a high elbow as he pivots after catching an in-bound pass. His elbow made severe and excessive contact with the face of the Texas Tech player causing significant injury.

“While I do not believe Mr. Longar intended to cause serious injury, and he has no prior history of this kind of incident, I view this as a dangerous and unacceptable play. Therefore, a suspension from competition is warranted. We simply must convey a message that this kind of play will not be condoned.”

On appeal by OU, the Big 12’s findings and suspension of Longar were upheld by the Big 12’s Sportsmanship Appeal Board. Its decisions are final.

OU athletics director Joe Castiglione is not happy with the decision.

“We all regret that an injury occurred in this situation and continue to wish a full and quick recovery to Esmir Rizvic. At the same time, we are very disappointed in the Big 12 Conference decision as it relates to Longar,” he said. “We strongly support Longar and our team and utilized every avenue available to us, including an appeal, to the fullest extent. We strenuously disagree that suspension from competition is warranted.”

OU coach Jeff Capel had no comment Friday. Thursday, he stood behind his player.

“I didn’t feel like he did anything out of character because he didn’t do anything wrong,” Capel said on the Big 12 coaches conference call. “We play a contact sport. That’s what basketball is, and unfortunately at times, that leads to injury.

“We hope Esmir is recovering from surgery. We hated that it happened.”

Longar, a junior, is OU’s leading scorer, averaging 12 points a game. But his numbers have dipped since the incident, averaging just 4.5 points a game in the Sooners’ two conference games.

Longar will miss today’s game at Texas and Wednesday’s 7 p.m. tip against Nebraska at Lloyd Noble Center.

Text Only
OU Sports
  • OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech

    As Oklahoma’s players headed toward the exit at United Spirit Arena on Saturday night, most had dazed looks on their faces. The 65-47 loss to Texas Tech was something they didn’t see coming....

    February 13, 2012

  • Rutgers-Connecticut Women's Basketball Husky challenge

    No time might seem like a good time to face Connecticut. The Huskies are always terrific and this season will enter Lloyd Noble Center likely ranked No. 2 following Notre Dame’s Sunday loss to West Virginia....

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • Sooners put finishing touches on perfect opener

    Oklahoma capped off a perfect opening weekend of softball on Sunday with an 11-1 victory over Kent State. The Sooners were led by another strong outing from pitcher Keilani Rickets and an offensive explosion by Allee Allen....

    February 13, 2012

  • Illinois halts OU’s upset

    ITHACA, N.Y. — Oklahoma was not upset at the National Duals on Sunday. It did, however, leave disappointed....

    February 13, 2012

  • Sooners fall flat against Raiders

    LUBBOCK, Texas — All that progress Oklahoma believes it has been making didn’t make the trip to Texas Tech on Saturday. The Sooners moonwalked their way to a 65-47 loss at United Spirit Arena that easily qualified as the season’s worst ...

    February 12, 2012

  • OU V Missouri Sooners narrowly avoid handing Tigers their first win in Big 12 play

    Morgan Hook hit the free throws and Kaylon Williams blocked the shot, grabbed the rebound, got fouled and made one of two from the stripe to put the game away....

    February 12, 2012 1 Photo

  • Winning is only option

    Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....

    February 11, 2012

  • Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals

    Dual State is today....

    February 11, 2012

  • Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor

    Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....

    February 11, 2012

  • Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...

    February 11, 2012

The Business Marquee
Facebook