March 7, 200521 yr Wake Forest's Paul suspended for low blow By AARON BEARD, AP Sports Writer March 7, 2005 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Wake Forest star Chris Paul was suspended by the school for one game Monday for hitting North Carolina State's Julius Hodge in the groin during a game. Paul, a sophomore point guard, will miss Friday's Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinal, the school said Monday. The Demon Deacons, seeded second, will play the winner of Thursday's Florida State-N.C. State game. Paul will be allowed to practice Tuesday and could return to the lineup Saturday if Wake Forest advances to the tournament semifinals. Athletic director Ron Wellman said the school consulted ACC commissioner John Swofford before announcing the suspension. Paul apologized to Hodge, N.C. State, his teammates and Wake Forest's fans. ``Sunday night was emotional for me for many reasons and I let my emotions get the best of me,'' Paul said. ``However, that is no excuse for my actions and I fully accept and agree with my suspension.'' Paul, the leading vote-getter on The Associated Press preseason all-America team, is averaging 14.9 points and 6.6 assists. He has been one of the stars of the No. 3 Demon Deacons (26-4, 13-3 ACC), who have tied the school's single-season record for overall and conference victories. Hodge was not expected to comment Monday on Paul's suspension, N.C. State spokeswoman Annabelle Vaughan said Paul's low blow with 12:48 left in the first half set the tone for the game in Raleigh, which ended when he hit a runner at the buzzer for a 55-53 win. On the replay, Paul was behind Hodge as the lanky senior was battling for position to rebound a missed 3-pointer by Ilian Evtimov. After Cedric Simmons got the rebound, Paul reached around from Hodge's right side and hit him in the groin. Hodge, the reigning ACC player of the year, crumpled to the court. With Hodge laying on the ground, his older brother, Steve, walked onto the court to see if Julius was OK -- and to yell toward Wake Forest bench and the referees. After he left the court, Steve Hodge was escorted from the area. Once Julius Hodge got up, he yelled and gestured toward Paul and the Demon Deacons' sideline on his way to the bench. After the game, Paul said the two simply became entangled. ``I don't believe I popped him,'' Paul said. ``It was just the heat of the game. I've got too much respect for him to try to pop him on senior night.'' When told that replays showed him hitting Hodge, Paul responded, ``I haven't seen the replay.''
March 8, 200521 yr Well deserved. But can the NC State fans be suspended for chanting "we killed your grandfather" to him in the aftermath of this?
March 8, 200521 yr Well deserved. But can the NC State fans be suspended for chanting "we killed your grandfather" to him in the aftermath of this? 705734[/snapback] i wish thats worse than what maryland did to redick thats just uber ghey
March 9, 200521 yr thats just State fans for ya. just a bunch of classless rednecks. 705739[/snapback] UNC fans are known for their class too. *rolls eyes*
March 9, 200521 yr thats just State fans for ya. just a bunch of classless rednecks. 705739[/snapback] UNC fans are known for their class too. *rolls eyes* 705796[/snapback] i don't feel like arguing about this right now but if you think a Smith Center crowd is less classy than an RBC crowd you are crazy.
March 9, 200521 yr Julius Hodge's brother walking on the court is gangsta. 705866[/snapback] Hodge is from the Bronx...he is street.
March 9, 200521 yr nah i thought Julius was from Harlem. Hence the name Jules from Harlem on da way to Stardom.
March 9, 200521 yr Well deserved. But can the NC State fans be suspended for chanting "we killed your grandfather" to him in the aftermath of this? 705734[/snapback] i wish thats worse than what maryland did to redick thats just uber ghey 705736[/snapback] agreed. thats 100x worse but Maryland fans got more crap just cuz they used the f-word, which is ridiculous
March 9, 200521 yr Well deserved. But can the NC State fans be suspended for chanting "we killed your grandfather" to him in the aftermath of this? 705734[/snapback] i wish thats worse than what maryland did to redick thats just uber ghey 705736[/snapback] agreed. thats 100x worse but Maryland fans got more crap just cuz they used the f-word, which is ridiculous 706028[/snapback] Did anyone else catch that priceless piece on ESPN when Redick read his pathetic attempt at poetry and talked about his lame harrassment from opposing fans. Sorry JJ, its D1 basketball at a high level, get used to the tauting and grow a sack.
March 9, 200521 yr I dont recall JJ ever crying about the taunting...he said what it was. He actually says it motivates him during the games. The only thing he complained about was when Maryland fans had signs and chanted about Fing his sister...who is under the age of 14. Thanks.
March 10, 200521 yr I dont recall JJ ever crying about the taunting...he said what it was. He actually says it motivates him during the games. The only thing he complained about was when Maryland fans had signs and chanted about Fing his sister...who is under the age of 14. Thanks. 706342[/snapback] Call it what you want. I think he was whining about it and he should just shut up and take it like a man instead of going on ESPN to air it out and complain about the fans. It is what it is, D1 big time basketball. If he didnt want this, he should have gone to Stetson. Youre Welcome.
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