WKU Basketball: Marek Nelson Suspended Indefinitely
Head coach Rick Stansbury announced Friday in his press conference that sophomore forward Marek Nelson is suspended from the team…
Head coach Rick Stansbury announced Friday in his press conference that sophomore forward Marek Nelson is suspended from the team “indefinitely.”
Nelson was arrested late Saturday night for a DUI along with two other minor charges after the team’s win against St. Mary’s. Nelson is the fourth player this season to have a run in with the law (Taveion Hollingsworth, Josh Anderson, and Desean Murray, before he left the team).
If I could read Coach Stansbury’s mind, I imagine he’s not very happy on multiple levels with Nelson. Nelson had been starting at the power forward spot for six games this season and turned in one of his best performances of the year against St. Mary’s.
With a major offense like a DUI, I don’t expect Nelson to see the court for a while. With this being the fourth player getting in trouble this season, Stansbury has to make an example and say this kind of behavior is unacceptable and will result in a major punishment. The players are representing not only the basketball team but Western Kentucky University as whole and it makes both look bad with issues like these in the public eye.
I still think Nelson will play again during conference play but any suspension shorter than five games is a slap on the wrist, as far as I’m concerned. I look for Anderson to start at the four with Nelson being suspended.
WKU now prepares to play #15 ranked Wisconsin in Diddle Arena without Nelson in front of a sold out crowd as the non-conference part of the year comes to an end.
Josh Anderson will take Nelson’s spot in the starting lineup at the four, as the Hilltoppers will now use a four-guard set to accompany Charles Bassey.