UH junior guard Aubrey Coleman was suspended for Wednesday’s game against Texas-El Paso by Conference USA on Monday after conference officials ruled Coleman violated the league’s Sportsmanship Policy in the Cougars’ 96-90 overtime loss to Arizona on Saturday.
Coleman was called for a foul with 9:51 left in the game when he collided with Arizona junior forward Chase Budinger. After getting tangled up with Budinger and consequently stepping on his face, referees determined that Coleman committed a flagrant foul and deserved an ejection. Budinger, who immediately got up and charged towards Coleman, received a technical foul.
‘During his career at UH, Aubrey has never been involved in an incident that could question his respect for this game,’ director of athletics, Dave Maggard, said in a press release. ‘He has apologized to Chase Budinger for what occurred, and Conference USA officials have taken action regarding this matter. Aubrey will be suspended for Wednesday night’s game, and we now consider the matter to be closed.’
Immediately after the game, Coleman wrote a letter of apology to Budinger from the team’s hotel. However, the letter was not made public until Sunday. Coleman also apologized during a press conference with UH head coach Tom Penders on Sunday. Budinger has yet to forgive Coleman, or respond to Coleman’s apology.
C-USA policy states that when a player commits ‘flagrant misconduct,’ he must be suspended.
Coleman can return to the court when the Cougars travel to Tennessee to take on Memphis at 12 p.m. Saturday at FedEx Forum.
UH will look to stay undefeated at home in conference play when it hosts UTEP at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Hofheinz Pavilion.
