Cooper suspended for season

Here’s the official release.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Kerry Rupp announced Monday that he has suspended junior forward Kenny Cooper for the remainder of the season for repeated violations of team rules. “Unfortunately, Kenny is not willing to make the commitment necessary to remain a member of our team,” Rupp said in a statement released through the LA Tech Media Relations Department. “He will continue on scholarship for the remainder of the year which will allow him to concentrate on obtaining his degree.” Cooper, a transfer from Oklahoma State University, averaged 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while making 15 starts for the Bulldogs this season. Rupp said he would not comment any further on the matter at this time.

My thoughts: It’s been obvious Cooper has had attitude problems. Just read back through my blogs and you can see it. I don’t know what proverbial straw broke the camel’s back but Rupp apparently had enough. I’ve gotten no word on if Cooper will come back next season or if this is a good bye but we’re going to let you finish the year cause we’re getting charged for the scholarship anyway.

Negatives: Obviously a near double double missing from the lineup. Now on nights that Gibson/Guyton are off no chance for a victory.

Positives: If you hadn’t already started planning for next season to be the year as a basketball fan you are delusional. This team needs to develop some depth for next and Oliverson (as a sophomore) will get to develop on the court.

With 15 (minimum) games left and six of those being in Ruston this team still has a chance to double last season’s win total. And with only two seniors (Loe and Rogers) the key components (Gibson, Guyton, Rolle) will be back.

It’s pretty obvious Rupp will not stand for the shenanigans off the court that previous coaches would have allowed (and he has earned a lot of my respect for that). However remember at the press conference the day the was hired – Malone told him that he had three years to win or he would lose his (Malone’s) support. Next year is year three.