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.
OU Sports
Longar suspended
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