Trickles of news have emerged over the past week with regards to the alleged incident at a Cincinnati nightclub between a group of UC basketball players and a bouncer. Not much was known other than the fact that someone hit said bouncer in the eye and he was pointing the finger at Cincinnati Bearcats basketball players. Which players exactly? Well that wasn’t clear either but the numbers involved seemed to settle at 4. Now, per Paul Dehner at gobearcats.com, it seems that one of those players has been identified by the fact that he has been kicked off the team:
#Bearcats dismiss Octavius Ellis from the team.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) May 18, 2012
Ellis, a redshirt freshman who was bound to see an increased role in the offense next season with Yancy Gates gone, may have blown that opportunity and his college career with one fell swoop.. err.. punch. I’m not sure where Ellis will wind up by it sure as heck won’t be at Cincinnati. Mick Cronin was emphatic about that:
Mick Cronin on Ellis dismissal: "Octavius didn’t adhere to the standard of conduct I expect from members of our team." (cont.)
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) May 18, 2012
Cronin (cont.): "I will work to help him find a fresh start at a new program because I do care very much for him as a person."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) May 18, 2012
Switching gears, it goes without saying that the value of Chris Obekpa to Cincinnati just went through the roof.
More to come I’m sure.