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Last year's SEC freshmen leading scorer, BJ Young has been suspended for Arkansas' opening game against Sam Houston State on Friday for violating team rules. Reports are, after an interview with coach Mike Anderson, that Young is not holding up his part in the classroom. Young did not participate in the scrimmage tonight against LeMoyne-Owen at Bud Walton Arena as a part of his suspension.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore averaged 15.2 points per game a year ago and bypassed the NBA Draft last year after being named to the All-SEC team. He seems to be a perfect fit for Anderson's 40 Minutes of Hell. A quick, athletic guard, Young has the talent to be a sharpshooter from the outside as well as the ability to take the ball in the paint.
During the first two games this year (Red-White game and an exhibition versus Southwest Baptist) Young averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists.
When I sat down to write this, my initial intentions were to praise Young, as he was recently named the SEC's preseason No. 1 player by SI.com --which means that sports media coverage might actually be looking outside of the state of Kentucky. Bovada.com also has him at 50/1 odds to win Player of the Year.
While this will definitely not help his POY campaign, the Razorbacks should handle Sam Houston State with ease on Friday. However, this is not the sort of start you want for a player who will play such an integral role for the Razorbacks' journey to return to the NCAA Tournament in March for the first time in five years.