Florida junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin has not played in a single game since being held out of the 2012 Navy-Marine Corps Classic to start the season. He was suspended for an unspecified reason by coach Billy Donovan but he has now been reinstated to the team. Donovan says missing the last three games has been a setback in Wilbekin’s development.
Wilbekin is the first player suspended from the team since both Erik Murphy and Cody Larson were suspended in April 2011 for allegedly breaking into a car in St. Augustine. Donovan assures all his players that he will not hold grudges for past mistakes.
Pushing drama aside, everything will change come Sunday in Tampa when Billy’s boys take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a neutral site game for both teams. The game will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and will include Wilbekin. However, it is not likely that the point guard will start. Donovan says that Wilbekin will have to work hard to gain is starting role back.
To hear how Wilbekin and the rest of the team performs, make sure to listen into ESPN Radio 850/900 or 100.1 FM Ocala starting at 3:25 pm on Sunday.