by Kent Sterling
Sophomore forward Hanner Mosquiera-Perea has been suspended from the team indefinitely by Tom Crean.
Indiana University has released a comment from Tom Crean detailing the immediate consequence of Hanner Mosquiera-Perea’s early morning arrest for operating without a license.
“I had a chance to speak with Hanner before we left for Purdue,” Crean is quoted in the release distributed tonight at 8:46p. “The first things I told him were that we loved him and wanted to support him. We are disappointed in him but also disappointed for him.
“He knows he made some terrible choices which have turned into big mistakes. Hanner has let his family, loved ones and our program down and he knows that with choices come consequences. The law will handle some as will we. He will not be with us at Purdue and we will continue to work with him on a daily basis and will be witheld from competition indefinitely.”
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What the extent of the consequences are will go a long way not only what Mosquiera-Perea learns from this episode, but what Indiana players, future players, and students might be able to learn through this episode.
Crean’s consequences for Mosquiera-Perea will determine the extent to which Mosquiera-Perea’s teammates learn, while the legal system will handle those duties for the students. Given the reasonable proximity of the bars to campus, choosing to driving is truly moronic – not that it isn’t at other times, but walking to the dorms, frats, or apartments after a few too many drinks is something students have been quite good at for decades.
Driving drunk shows an indifference for human life that is truly hind-numbing. With the sheer volume of educational efforts that have been made to instill the potential for calamity in those prone to that profound level of dumb, there is no excuse for ever making the decision to hop behind the wheel after drinking aggressively, and the 0.15 that Mosqiera-Perea clocked shows a worrisome aggression.
So Indiana will be without Mosquiera-Perea’s average of eight minutes of action which is a shame because his learning curve had accelerated over the past few weeks. His hands have improved, and his was in better defensive position more consistently.
Mosquira-Perea’s bad decision betrayed a disinterest in the short term success of the team to which he belongs and the health and safety of those who might have been walking or driving early this morning in Bloomington.
For that, consequence is required, and kicking him off the team seems just. There are some acts of stupidity that require a second chance be given by someone else, but the Indiana program under Crean has been almost entirely clean, so allowing him to exercise latitude in his judgment seems reasonable.
Kent, a few questions that no seems to have answers for:
1. Is Hanner still in the slammer
2. Who’s car was he driving
3. Who was in the car with him
4. If free, who paid his bail
5. Who was he drinking with earlier in the night
6. Couldn’t the bartender at the last watering hole know that he was too drunk to drive
7. Will this allow Crean the opportunity to rid the team of a not very good player
This has been the most hushed up incident in Indiana basketball history since Bracey Wright’s “back problems”.
Good questions:
1. Is Hanner still in the slammer
He is out.
2. Who’s car was he driving
I don’t know.
3. Who was in the car with him
I don’t know. I wouldn’t find it hard to believe no one. At that hour, he might have been headed home from a place other than a crowded bar or party with friends.
4. If free, who paid his bail
Not sure if there was bail. Given his situation as a basketball player, I doubt he’s much of a risk to flee.
5. Who was he drinking with earlier in the night
Unless Perea loses his mind, we will only hear unsubstantiated reports.
6. Couldn’t the bartender at the last watering hole know that he was too drunk to drive
A veteran of several Thursday evenings in Bloomington bars, it’s impossible for bartenders to keep track of anyone. Most don’t even have time to make eye contact as they schlep beers.
7. Will this allow Crean the opportunity to rid the team of a not very good player
Perea’s priorities so completely out of whack almost surely means he’s a ghost.