Nov 8, 2009

Blue Devils' Smith Hit With Two Game Suspension

Duke Guard Nolan Smith Suspended For NCAA Rule Violation

The Duke Blue Devils' junior guard will have to sit out two games from regular season play after it was determined that he violated an NCAA rule regarding amateurism last summer. Smith told reporters Tuesday that he had been suspended because he had participated in an unsanctioned summer league with overseas players and professionals near his hometown of Washington, D. C.. The junior guard will miss the season opener against North Carolina-Greensboro and then the team's second game against Coastal Carolina.

The loss of Smith will unlikely have any real detrimental affects during Smith's absence since he will only be out of action for two games and the games he will miss will be against what should be very easy opponents for the Blue Devils. Since Smith, who averaged 8.4 points per game last season, is only one of two guards with experience returning from last year's squad, the other being senior Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils are suffering from a lack of depth in the backcourt, and therefore, can ill afford to lose Smith for any extended period of time if they are to have any betting odds chance of making a run at the ACC conference championship. From the looks of things at the early stages of the season, Duke is a pretty good bet to have a significant challenge remaining competitive against the nation's powerhouses if they are at their full strength, and those odds will take a huge nose dive if they happen to lose any key experienced players like Smith.

By Bryan Jackson
Staff Writer
Betsportsweb.com
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