George Mason has suspended sophomore forward Mike Morrison for one game in addition to his Colonial Athletic Association-mandated one-game suspension for his double technical foul and ejection in the second half of the Patriots’ loss Saturday at Old Dominion.
The 6-foot-9 Morrison now will miss Saturday’s ESPN Bracketbuster home game against the College of Charleston as well as Tuesday’s game at home against William & Mary.
“One of the things that we really believe is that our student athletes should be role models. There’s a certain amount of sportsmanship that’s required,” said GMU coach Jim Larranaga. “We just wanted to be sure that, not only Mike, but all the players, all the student athletes at George Mason understand that they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a first-class manner.”
Morrison, who averages 8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, started Mason’s first 25 games, but was replaced in the starting lineup Saturday by freshman Johnny Williams. Morrison played 19 minutes before incurring the double technical for his strenuous objection to a referee’s call.
It is the latest in a series of disciplinary actions Larranaga has taken this year. Sophomore starters Ryan Pearson and Andre Cornelius were suspended for a game in December against GW. Both players were benched at the start of last week’s win over VCU. Mason is the youngest team in the CAA.
“We have 10 players in that freshmen/sophomore class,” said Larranaga. “They’re experiencing the understanding that’s it’s important how you behave in every situation, on the court, off the court. Until they mature and start doing things the George Mason way, there’s always going to be consequences.”
