ESPN REPORT: Details on Fran McCaffery suspension.
Due to his outburst following the Hawkeyes’ Sunday loss at Wisconsin, which resulted in his dismissal, Big Ten banned Iowa coach Fran McCaffery for one game on Tuesday.
Following his angry outburst against the officials during the Hawkeyes’ 75-71 loss to Wisconsin on Sunday, Iowa coach Fran McCaffery received a one-game suspension. AP Photo by Andy Manis
Additionally, McCaffery was publicly chastised by the league for breaking the Big Ten’s sportsmanship rules, and the university was fined $10,000. It is not possible to appeal the fine or the suspension.
McCaffery won’t play against Northwestern on Thursday. In his place, the Hawkeyes will be coached by assistant Kirk Speraw.
“I think it’s important to point out that my energy and passion come from a good place,” McCaffery stated at an Iowa City press conference on Tuesday. “That’s how I want my players to play. I’ll stand up for my players, and we ask them to play that way. That’s my plan of action. That won’t end. But I believe I lost my composure in that situation, without a doubt, and you can’t do that.
“I’m not flawless. No one is. I refuse to punish myself for it. It does not make me happy. I’m not pleased with it. It is never too late for any of us to learn, especially from our failures.”
With around 12 minutes remaining in Iowa’s 75-71 loss against the No. 4 Badgers, McCaffery was ejected from the game due to two technical penalties he received from the officiating crew.
Athletic director Gary Barta of Iowa said in a statement, “We accept the Big Ten Conference’s ruling and as a result Fran will not coach his team Thursday evening.” “Everyone is eager to move past the incident…. I remain fully committed to supporting Fran going ahead.”
This report was made possible by the Associated Press.
Conditions of UseStatement of PrivacyAll rights reserved. Interest-Based Ads © ESPN Enterprises, Inc.
Jermaine Couisnard of Oregon defeats his old squad with a 40-point performance.
Staff Writer for ESPN Brooke Pryor
At 8:04 p.m. ET on March 21, 2024
Pittsburgh During the first half of No. 11 Oregon’s first-round matchup with No. 6 South Carolina, Jermaine Couisnard heard his former teammate, Jacobi Wright, begin to celebrate as the ball splashed into the bottom of the net.
According to Couisnard, Wright stated, “It’s cash,” after his shot gave the Gamecocks a three-point lead with 9:01 remaining in the first half on Thursday.
Wright’s trash talk inspired Couisnard, who played his first four years of college ball at South Carolina before moving to Oregon in 2022 when head coach Frank Martin was sacked. After two plays, Couisnard made his first three-pointer. He added another thirty seconds later, this time on a quick break following a turnover by South Carolina.
That’s what motivated me,” Couisnard remarked. “I’m a competitor, and while I was there, I kind of coached that man. He started talking after he hit a three, but it was really enjoyable. I was kind of formed by those folks. I developed significantly. While I was there, I discovered a lot. I therefore value such guys above all else.”
Editor’s Selections
Live coverage and analysis of the men’s NCAA tournament as March Madness gets underwayESPN Couisnard scored 40 points to help the Ducks win 87-73, breaking the previous mark for points scored by an Oregon player at PPG Paints Arena and in an NCAA tournament game. Additionally, he scored the most points in an NCAA tournament game by a player from the Pac-12 since Bill Walton scored 44 points in the 1973 national championship.
“He was really feeling it,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said of his team’s 8-0 record in first-round matches against the Ducks. “I believe that really got him going since he had a few tough 3s. He finished some difficult shots after getting into the paint. He simply had it made. Every player dreams of playing those kinds of games, so winning them and winning them in the NCAA tournament is an amazing experience.
It was a very remarkable performance. He’d been really good at hedging those picks, so they worked very hard to get him out of some ball screen action. But he’s just discovered another method to win.”
On his way to shooting 14 of 22 from the field, Couisnard made 5-of-9 shots from beyond the arc. During the half, he scored 26 points in the second half, including four three-pointers. The Ducks survived a rival that persisted in being a threat down the stretch, thanks to Couisnard and forward N’Faly Dante, who scored 23 points of his own.
“We should have done a better job of slowing him down,” Lamont Paris, the South Carolina coach, said. “… He went to the basket with aggression. And I believe that on a couple of shots, he made a floater against the zone when we fouled him. He hits some hard shots. Although his average is not 40, he makes difficult shots. On defense, we often play quite well. His game was good.
In addition, Couisnard finished 7 for 7 at the free throw line and contributed six assists. But he had more reasons for wanting to participate than only oppose his old squad. Among the audience was another well-known face.
“This was one of my grandmother’s very first games,” Couisnard remarked. “I was therefore pleased to see her come here in her car, play in front of her, and watch me play. [South Carolina] wasn’t it. I was just trying to be the best. I am aware that those people have an excellent crew there. This year, Coach Lamont performed a fantastic job. It was just me wanting to compete and demonstrate my determination to win.”
