2/10/2022 basketball Edit

Hoosiers' five suspended players 'available to play' vs Michigan State

Alec Lasley • TheHoosier

Senior Writer

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Indiana is expected to return its previously suspended five players for its matchup with Michigan State on Saturday.

Xavier Johnson, Michael Durr, Parker Stewart, Khristian Lander and Tamar Bates were suspended for Indiana's loss to Northwestern on Tuesday.

"Again, I’m looking at it as doing the right thing for our university and for our team," Head coach Mike Woodson said following IU's loss to Northwestern. "When you talk about building a team… I’m building a culture here. I’m not here to mess around with guys that don't want to do what's asked of them. If they don't then they got to go, that’s how I look at it.

"I’m going to bring players in here that want to be proud and wear that uniform proudly. That’s what it's all about. Do all the necessary things on and off the court. It’s not hard to do that."

On Thursday, Mike Woodson said all five players will be 'available to play' this weekend.

Below is the full statement.

Indiana University men's basketball coach Mike Woodson has announced that the five players disciplined on Tuesday against Northwestern will be available to play on Saturday at Michigan State.

Freshman Tamar Bates, Sr./Jr. Michael Durr, Sr./Jr. Xavier Johnson, So./Fr. Khristian Lander and Sr./Jr. Parker Stewart did not play against the Wildcats.

"It's important that all team rules are followed and a curfew applies to everyone in our program for a reason," said Woodson. "It will be my decision to determine what role each one will have moving forward."