Miami Basketball: Ja’Quan Newton suspended for three games

Miami basketball is dealing with a significant suspension to their starting point guard at the wrong time.

The Miami Hurricanes are right on the cut line in nearly every Bracketology update, including our most recent release on Monday that had the ‘Canes in the Next Four In category.

Related Story: Miami downed by Duke in Cameron Indoor Center

With a 6-6 record in the ACC (before the win over Georgia Tech) and three key games against NCAA Tournament-caliber teams, the Hurricanes needed their relatively thin roster to be at full strength.

Instead, Jim Larranaga’s team was dealt a major blow on Wednesday when it was announced that starting point guard Ja’Quan Newton was suspended for three games for a violation of team rules.

The junior point guard is averaging 15.0 points (2nd on the team), 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. He is shooting only 28 percent from three and is turning the ball over 3.5 times per game (by far a career high), but Newton’s speed, quickness, and experience is awfully valuable in the big picture.

Also, Miami is rather thin at the point guard position beyond Newton. Do-it-all freshman guard Bruce Brown will step in as the team’s primary ball handler, however, they will also need contributions from freshman Dejan Vasiljevic and will even need Davon Reed to handle the ball on occasion.

Miami was already able to notch a nine-point victory over Georgia Tech on Wednesday evening without Newton, but with games coming up against Clemson and at Virginia, the Hurricanes need all hands on deck if they want to add to their resume.

Next: Updated Bubble Watch and mailbag

Overall after beating the Yellow Jackets, the Hurricanes are likely to survive this bout of adversity. Miami is likely headed to the NCAA Tournament once again.