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It wasn't worth the potential negative backlash and distractions for the player or the program.
That's how Gophers Athletic Director Joel Maturi defended his "emotional" decision to keep junior college transfer Trevor Mbakwe, a talented power forward for the men's basketball team, sidelined until his felony assault case is resolved.
Maturi announced Monday that Mbakwe will be allowed to practice with the Gophers but won't suit up for home games or travel with the team until there's a resolution in his case, stemming from an alleged incident in April. Mbakwe is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 14, but a few months ago, his lawyer said he would push for a later court date.
Maturi said that he didn't consider Mbakwe's possible guilt or innocence while deliberating, but added "I'd be surprised" if he were found guilty.
"I feel strongly that the decision that was made [is] as much in Trevor's best interests as anyone's," Maturi said. "I just did not believe every time we took the court, the focus had to be on, quite frankly, a [player charged with a felony]. That's the harshness but that's the reality. ... That does not need to be the focus of Trevor at this young age of his life, does not need to be the focus for this basketball team, for [coach Tubby Smith] and quite frankly, for me and the university. Again, not at all, saying there's any guilt there."
Mbakwe, a 6-8, 240-pound power forward who was expected to play a major role this season, was charged after a woman accused him of punching her in the face twice, causing severe facial injuries, around 3 a.m. April 3. The woman initially found Mbakwe's photo during an Internet search on a team website for Miami Dade Community College, where Mbakwe played last season. The victim and Mbakwe lived in the same Miami apartment complex.
He has maintained his innocence and says he has an alibi, supported by four witnesses, that he was at home when the woman was assaulted outside of the apartment building.
Maturi said he spoke with numerous people invested in his decision, including Smith, Mbakwe and his mother, and university lawyers, before he reached a conclusion. He said he received a lot of e-mails and phone calls about Mbakwe and the majority of them were in support of allowing him to compete.