Published: November 10, 2009 12:15 am         

NCAA suspends ISU men's basketball's Lathan for two games

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State swingman Dwayne Lathan is from Chatham, La., and transferred to ISU from Louisiana Tech. ISU’s Preseason NIT trip to Louisiana State was to be a storybook return for the ISU sophomore.

Unfortunately for Lathan, the NCAA added a chapter that ruined the story.

Lathan has been suspended by the NCAA for the first two games of the season. Lathan, who transferred in 2008, participated in an unsanctioned 3-on-3 charity basketball event while he was still a student at Louisiana Tech in April 2008.

Lathan was suspended for each game he took part in during the charity tournament, which is typical of the way the NCAA usually handles these types of violations. Lathan will miss ISU’s season opener against Nebraska-Kearney on Friday and the Sycamores Preseason NIT opening game at LSU. Lathan will travel with the team to LSU and will be able to play in ISU’s second Preseason NIT game.

Lathan made ISU aware of a possible violation shortly after he transferred from Louisiana Tech and ISU later self-reported to the NCAA. The NCAA made its ruling in recent weeks, Lathan was told Sunday, but ISU chose not to go public with it until Monday.

Lathan expected some ramifications from the violation. The timing for him, however, couldn’t have been worse.

“I wanted to play at home at LSU, I thought that was going to be a big game for me,” said a disappointed Lathan. “I’ll just have to help the team the best I can to get ready for them.”

By the rule of NCAA law, Lathan was ineligible once he participated in the tournament. Technically, the NCAA is reinstating Lathan pending the conclusion of his two-game suspension.

“The NCAA has made the decision to suspend Dwayne Lathan, due to his participation in an unsanctioned event,” ISU coach Kevin McKenna said in a press release. “Dwayne is a talented player who has worked extremely hard to get ready for the season. [As a team] We’re going to remain focused for our season opener and for the Preseason NIT.”

Lathan has been an electric presence for the Sycamores in their first two exhibition games, averaging a team-high 13.5 points in the victories over Rose-Hulman and the University of Indianapolis. Lathan is arguably ISU’s most athletic player, as evidenced by his ability to force turnovers and the multitude of highlight-show dunks he wowed the Hulman Center crowd with in the two games.

Lathan had started both exhibition games, though with ISU’s depth and ability to put different combinations on the floor any number of Sycamores could start in Lathan’s absence.

None of that makes Lathan feel any better as he will have to sit and watch two games.

“I thought at first they wouldn’t make me sit out, so of course, I’m not happy about it. It’s going to be hard to sit on the bench and watch, but I made the mistake, I’ve got to live with it,” Lathan said.