The USC Trojans and Washington State Cougars faced off on New Year’s Eve in a game the Trojans ran away with, 89-71. It wasn’t without controversy, however.
USC suspends Chimezie Metu, makes him write apology letter for low blow vs. Washington State
The Trojans junior big man was punished for this flagrant foul against WSU.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With 5:50 left in the first half and the Trojans leading 33-19, USC junior big man Chizemie Metu closed out a shot by WSU’s Carter Skaggs. As he passed Skaggs, who was fully extended in the motion of his shot, Metu added a little something extra to his defense:
Metu was assessed a flagrant 2 foul for the hit, and he was ejected from the game. Per the NCAA 2017-18 Rule Book, a flagrant 2 is defined as such:
A flagrant 2 personal foul is a personal foul that involves contact with an opponent that is not only excessive, but also severe or extreme while the ball is live.
Yep, sounds about right. The Cougars mounted a mini-comeback after the ejection, closing to within 33-30, but were unable to get any closer.
Now, as a result of his actions, USC announced Jan. 1 Metu has been punished. Trojan head coach Andy Enfield ordered Metu will have to miss the first half of USC’s next game (Thursday at Cal), write a letter to Skaggs, WSU’s head coach Ernie Kent, and the Cougars apologizing for his actions, and resign his captaincy for the season.
The Pac-12 has deemed this punishment sufficient for the actions and will not discipline Metu any further.
According to USC’s press release, Metu’s letter said, “... a lack of judgment for a split second led to an action that I immediately regretted and had no business committing in the first place. I understand there is no place in the game of basketball for such an unsportsmanlike action.”
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