Alabama Basketball Forward Suspended One Game for 'Fighting Act'

The Southeastern Conference has suspended Mohamed Wague for the Crimson Tide's next game against Kentucky for a foul committed in the Florida win.

Alabama basketball forward Mohamed Wague has been suspended for one game by the Southeastern Conference for committing a "fighting act" (as defined by NCAA playing rules) in the Florida win on Wednesday night the league announced Thursday. 

An act of fighting is defined as "a confrontation involving one or more players, coaches or other team personnel wherein (but not limited to) a fist, hand, arm, foot, knee or leg is used to combatively strike the other individual," by the NCAA and requires a one-game suspension. 

The foul took place when Wague struck Florida's Alex Condon in the back of the head with his elbow/forearm with 9:25 remaining to play in the first half of Wednesday's game. Alabama won the game 98-93 in overtime. 

Alabama head coach Nate Oats released a statement in response to the suspension. 

"We received the discipline for Mo from the SEC and agree with the suspension," the statement said. "After reviewing the film, the penalty is understandable and appropriate.”

The Crimson Tide's next game is on the road at No. 17 Kentucky this Saturday at 3 p.m. It will not be the first time this season that Alabama has to play without Wague. The junior forward has missed time with a knee injury after starting the first couple weeks of the season. 

"Yeah, I didn't even see the play," Oats elaborated in his Friday press conference. "I had no idea that even happened until after the game. Yeah, I did have a talk with him. It's not something that we do. He was extremely apologetic. For anybody that knows him - he's a great kid. He told me he apologized to the kid in the handshake line. I think he reached out on social media and apologized too - I think it's Alex, from Florida. There's still consequences for your actions. I 100 percent agree with the SEC's decision. Shoot, if they didn't suspend him, we would have suspended him. That's not behavior we condone or tolerate around here and the penalty is appropriate for the situation."

After transferring in from West Virginia, Wague is averaging four points and two rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide this season. He has appeared in 24 games with eight starts. Alabama will continue to rely on Grant Nelson, Nick Pringle, Jarin Stevenson, Mouhamed Dioubate and Sam Walters to step up in his absence. 

How to Watch: No. 13 Alabama Basketball at No. 17 Kentucky

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