Elbows continue in Big Ten

The Big Ten is officially the most violent conference in America.

In a span of two weeks, we have seen four incidents in the Big Ten involving elbows, all of which appear to have been deliberate. Michigan's Zack Novak was ejected from a game against Ohio State for throwing an elbow at P.J. Hill, and eventually suspended. Wisconsin's Joe Krabbenhoft was not ejected or even called for a foul, but appeared to have used his left elbow to knock Purdue's much smaller Keaton Grant to the ground when setting a screen. Michigan guard Manny Harris received a technical foul and an immediate ejection for his elbow on Purdue's Chris Kramer, knocking Kramer to the ground and breaking his nose on the play.

On Saturday, Indiana's Devan Dumes added his name to this list. Dumes was ejected in Indiana's game against Michigan State for throwing an elbow at center Tom Herzog. In the first half of the game, Dumes hit the Spartans' Travis Walton in the chin with his elbow when swinging a ball through, much like the Harris/Kramer incident, but was only called for a personal foul.

Also in the first half, Dumes appeared to have intentionally elbowed Michigan State's Guron Suton in the crotch, but referee Ed Hightower ruled that it was inadvertant, and that Dumes caught him in the running motion.

However, the third time was not the charm for Dumes, as he was ejected after throwing his third elbow of the game.

"After coming home and having the opportunity to review the game film, I believe that discipline is necessary and deserved in this matter," Crean said in a statement released by the athletic department. "A line was crossed that was unacceptable."

The Big Ten has been trying to crack down on the recent elbow incidents, and has issued a statement supporting Crean's action regarding Dumes' incident.

"The behavior of Devan Dumes during the Michigan State game is unacceptable," conference commissioner Jim Delany said. "Dumes' actions have no place in the sport of basketball or the Big Ten Conference, and we support his indefinite suspension."

"I truly regret my actions and I will learn from this situation," Dumes said. "I apologize to everyone involved for doing something that is uncharacteristic of how I play the game."

This is a big loss for the Hoosiers. Dumes has been one the team's best players, averaging 13.8 points a game, and has acted as a team leader, being an upperclassman among many freshmen.

"Devan is one of ours and, like with all of our players, we want them to learn and understand what it takes to be successful," Crean said.