Crews suspended for rules violations

Tennessee sophomore Duke Crews has been suspended indefinitely from the men’s basketball team for violations of team rules.

Vols coach Bruce Pearl made the announcement in a university release Wednesday night.

A source close to the situation told the News Sentinel there is more than one reason for Crews’ suspension, but the reasons do not involve academics or an arrest or police citation.

Crews will continue to work out and weight train in the UT facilities, but he will not be allowed to do so with the team.

Crews, the source said, has been put on notice that his next misstep with the Vols will be his last.

“Duke is a very intelligent student-athlete but has made some poor decisions,” Pearl said in the release. “It is in his, as well as the team’s, best interest that he is suspended at this time.”

Crews’ suspension likely eliminates him from competing for an opening night starting job, leaving Ryan Childress, Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith in competition for the starting power forward and center positions.

Freshman center Brian Williams is working hard to find a spot in the rotation but is not ready to start.

Crews, who is from Hampton, Va., averaged 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. He led the Vols in blocked shots (32) and field goal percentage (.518) en route to All-SEC Freshmen honors.

The Vols begin play this fall with an exhibition game against California (Penn.) on Nov. 2 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Their season opener is Nov. 9 at home against Temple.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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