Fitzpatrick, Poland receive NCAA suspensions

Posted Nov 12, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Nov 12, 2011 at 08:37 PM

University of South Florida men’s basketball players Jawanza Poland and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick each will serve NCAA-mandated suspensions for their participation in an non-sanctioned summer league.

Poland received a two-game suspension and Fitzpatrick one game, which coincides with the number of games they played in the league.

Fitzpatrick will serve his suspension in tonight’s season opener against Vermont at the University of Tampa’s Bob Martinez Center. It’s a big blow to USF’s frontcourt, as it leaves only two true scholarship post players available – seniors Augustus Gilchrist and Ron Anderson Jr. – against the Catamounts.

Poland will serve his suspension as soon as he gets healthy. He is expected to miss the first month of the season while recovering from a back injury.