Louisville basketball: Deng Adel, Mangok Mathiang suspended for curfew violation

The Louisville basketball program will be down two key players for Monday night’s big game against the Virginia Cavaliers.
On Monday morning, the Cardinals announced forward Deng Adel and center Mangok Mathiang have been suspended for tonight’s game at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville for a violation of the team’s curfew.
The players’ curfew violation came on Saturday night, according to a release from the university.
“After we returned to Louisville, I boarded the team bus and told them how proud I was of them, but the most important thing now is to get their rest as we had an early morning practice and had to travel,” said head coach Rick Pitino in a statement.
“For some reason, Mangok and Deng chose to break curfew and were out very late.  The players were fully aware that we have zero tolerance in this area.  This is an extremely big game for our basketball team and it would be an understatement to say that I am extremely disappointed in both young men.  That being said, we will move forward and put forth a great effort with a depleted team.  Mangok is no longer a captain of our team. Donovan Mitchell has now been inserted in that role.”
Neither player traveled with the team for today’s game.
Adel has started in 22 games and is the Cardinals’ third-leading scorer. Mathiang, meanwhile, is averaging an impressive 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in the last five games.
Tip-off for tonight’s game is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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Duke basketball fans are thrilled to have Coach K back
Duke basketball fans are thrilled to have Coach K back