Last year Morgan State University Bears played the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Oklahoma led by Blake Griffin, first round draft pick for the NBA, won by a wide margin. Ameer Ali was suspended for two NCAA games for "body slamming" Blake Griffin when they became entangled in the game. Little would we know then the impact that action would have on the upcoming WVU vs MSU game on Friday, March 19th. Ali will have to serve the second game of the suspension by sitting out the first game in this round of the NCAA tournament. Why? Because the NCAA doesn't have jurisdiction over the MEAC Conference and the additional game could not be substituted with a MEAC game. It's unfortunate that Morgan's big man in middle who has tournament experience will have to sit out this crucial first game. It's tough enough being an under dog; it's even tougher being short handed in this early match-up. If there is any good news the suspension will be over after Friday and when they come back next year, Ali will be a junior and he should be raring to go.
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