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Men's basketball: Lobos' Smith may get stiffer penalty for fight

By Jeremy Fowler
Thursday, February 1, 2007

Next game

Saturday: University of New Mexico (13-10, 2-6 in Mountain West Conference) at Colorado State (14-6, 4-4 in MWC)

Game time: 4 p.m.

Site: Moby Arena (8,745)

TV: CSTV (Comcast 274)

On the air: KKOB-AM (770) with Mike Roberts

Lobos guard Jamaal Smith could miss more than one game because of his part in a fight on The Pit floor Tuesday night.

The University of New Mexico junior was one of three players ejected in the closing minutes of UNM's 91-83 win over Wyoming.

It appeared Smith threw a punch at Wyoming guard Brad Jones after tussling with Jones' teammate, guard Brandon Ewing. All three were escorted out with 1:10 left to play.

The Mountain West Conference collected reports on Wednesday from the coaches and administrators from New Mexico and Wyoming, said assistant commissioner Javan Hedlund.

Conference officials should decide by today if they'll strengthen the standard punishment set up by NCAA rule 10-19-2, which states a player ejected from a game for fighting will miss the next game.

That means Smith, a junior guard averaging 8.1 points and 2.1 assists per game, won't travel to Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday as the Lobos (13-10, 2-6 in MWC) play Colorado State. Ewing and Jones will miss Saturday's game against Air Force.

If the players serve more than a one-game suspension, it's possible they could miss the March 3 rematch at Wyoming.

"We'll find out if the appropriate action has been taken or something needs to be added to it," Hedlund said. "It's likely we'll come to a conclusion by (Thursday)."

Hedlund said he's seen the videotape of the incident but can't disclose any insight until the ruling is finalized.

Coach Ritchie Mckay also reviewed the tape and is awaiting the verdict.

"I was asked to submit my take on the incident," said McKay. "I'm not going to comment until the league extends action. These are the rules, so we wish to operate within the rules."

A UNM official said Smith declines further comment until after the ruling.

Smith told The Tribune on Tuesday night he's "sorry it happened. That's not my nature. This is a first for me."

During the postgame press conference, McKay said his team was "responding to what was happening out there" and "you can only take so much" of an opponent's aggressive fouls. Both teams committed a combined 57 fouls, 31 from Wyoming.

Here's the skinny on the fight:

Smith and Ewing ended up on the floor near the basket and made contact when trying to get up. Smith threw an elbow to Ewing, who pushed Smith on his way up.

Jones pushed Lobos guard J.R. Giddens, prompting Smith to jump on Jones and throw a punch.

Wyoming forward Joseph Taylor dropkicked Smith. Taylor wasn't ejected from the game but could receive a suspension after further reviewing of the tape.

McKay and assistant Brad Soucie had to physically restrain Smith seconds after Smith hit Jones.

McKay said his team will miss Smith's presence against the Rams, who defeated the Lobos 88-79 on Jan. 6 in The Pit.

"He's been playing better of late," McKay said. "He's a starter, so he'll absolutely be missed."

Not that Smith's absence will throw off UNM's ever-changing starting lineup. McKay has used 13 different starting lineups through 23 games. Smith has started 20 games.