Northwestern will be without it’s back-up big man Nikola Cerina on Saturday, when the severely struggling Indiana Hoosiers come to town. Tonight, Nikola Cerina got into a fight with Amir Williams, former McDonald’s All-American as the Wildcats lost at Ohio State 76-60.
This was yet another chapter in the book of Buckeye domination over Northwestern. LaQuinton Ross was ejected, due to accruing two technicals. He will not be suspended for the fight. However Nikola Cerina will be.
Ray Perone, lead official, excerpts from his statement regarding the eligibility status of Cerina and LaQuinton Ross
“Nikola Cerina for Northwestern after he committed the common foul, a push on Amir Williams took a swing with a closed fist. That act is deemed to be fighting by rule, ‘Any time an individual uses a closed fist in an unsportsmanlike manner it shall be deemed that the individual has initiated a fighting act and be penalized accordingly.’ He does not have to make contact – the fact he swings with a closed fist is deemed to be a fighting act. Nikola Cerina was disqualified for fighting and that carries a penalty: ‘The first time an individual participates in a fight during the season the individual shall be suspended from participating in the team’s next regular season game.’ LaQuinton Ross for Ohio State was disqualified for two deadball contact technical fouls, which results in disqualification. He was not disqualified for fighting and will not be suspended for the next game.”
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar, he’s also a frequent analyst on news talk radio; with regular segments on ESPN,NBC, CBS and Fox. A former NBC Chicago and Washington Times writer, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)