Maryland announced Monday it has suspended Stone for Thursday's game at Minnesota, which has yet to win a Big Ten game so far this season. The Big Ten subsequently announced Monday that it supports the school's decision.
Stone received a flagrant foul on Saturday after he tangled with Wisconsin forward Vitto Brown under the basket and then forcefully pushed Brown's head into the floor as he climbed to his feet. Referees reviewed the play immediately after it occurred but assessed only a flagrant one foul on Stone and a technical foul on Wisconsin's Charlie Thomas for jawing with Maryland center after the play.
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Maryland suspends freshman big man Diamond Stone for his actions vs. Wisconsin on Saturday. wp.me/p1MmDU-2wWb snpy.tv/215lLwW
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Maryland coach Mark Turgeon apologized to Brown and Wisconsin counterpart Greg Gard, calling Stone's conduct "a poor representation of the standards that we have established as a program at the University of Maryland." Stone echoed those sentiments in a statement released Monday by Maryland.
"I want to apologize to Vitto Brown and the Wisconsin basketball team for my unacceptable behavior during Saturday’s game," Stone said. "I regret that I let the emotions of the game get the best of me. I let my team down and I accept full responsibility for my actions."
The incident involving Stone and Brown adds to the bad blood between the highly touted center and the Badgers. Stone is a Milwaukee native recruited heavily by Wisconsin before he chose Maryland instead last spring.
Since arriving at Maryland, Stone has quickly established himself as one of the Big Ten's most productive front court players. He’s averaging 12.8 points on 56.9 percent shooting and he has made considerable strides defensively.
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