Starter for UNL basketball team suspended

Story by: Meghin Williams, NewsNetNebraska

Suspensions

Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles announced Wednesday that senior guard Ray Gallegos has been suspended two games.  Miles said Gallegos violated team rules, and the length of the suspension was the coaches’ decision. Gallegos will join junior guard Deverell Biggs who is serving a three game suspension for a DUI citation last December.

Gallegos averaged 12.3 points last season while leading the Big Ten Conference in three-pointers and minutes played. He is one of three team captains for the season, and Miles said he has no plans to strip Gallegos of his captaincy for now.

“It’s disappointing, but at the same time, I’m not so sure Ray’s not going to come back better from this. Give him a couple of weeks to collect his thoughts, and he’s going to have to fulfill a couple of obligations to return to our program, and I think those can be beneficial for him.”

Changes

A source in the UNL men’s basketball program told NewsNetNebraska that Miles is holding the program to a higher standard both on and off the court.

“We can’t get away with the same things, he expects more from us and proves that there is no negotiation when it comes to team policy.”

Huskers are watching more film to keep fresh legs for the nine players that will suite up in Fridays season opener sources said.

“We have to be even more focused, two of our best guards are out so we know we have to step it up,” the source said

UNL athletic administrators declined to comment on either of the suspensions, UNL Senior Brian Dunker is a fan of the men’s basketball team. He said the suspensions left him a little concerned.

“It will affect team chemistry; it is hard to play well if you do not know who is going to be a part of practice.”

Dunker also believes the disciplinary actions are a step in the right direction for the program as a whole.

“Coach Miles is building a program, it may be a few years before we see return on the investment. To build a program Coach Miles has to establish character for a program that has lacked any sort of character over the last few coaches.”

Other Roster News

With the news of Gallegos’ suspension, Miles announced that junior walk-on guard Jordan Tyrance is leaving the team because of personal reasons.

“I support Jordan in this,” Miles said. “He and I have had a couple of heart-to-hearts over the last few days, and Jordan’s moving on. I support him and look forward to helping him make sure he gets his college degree.”

The Huskers season opener is Friday November 8against Florida Gulf Coast. Tickets for the game are sold out but, with the roster changes only nine of 16 players will suit up for the game.