Playing future in limbo for UT basketball player Lo

A crucial step in the on-court transformation of the University of Toledo men's basketball program is under way.

Reports out of voluntary summer workouts to UT coach Tod Kowalczyk have been mostly positive so far, he said yesterday, except for one blip.

Senior forward Mouhamed Lo was suspended 11 days ago, and Kowalczyk said the ban runs through Sunday. Until then, Lo has been told not to have any contact with his teammates.

"I don't want him around the team right now," Kowalczyk said. "He's not allowed to practice with them or lift with them or be in the locker room."

Lo was also suspended for the final six weeks of the 2009-10 season by former coach Gene Cross for several reasons, one of which was an altercation in practice with freshman co-captain Jake Barnett, who has since transferred to Saint Louis University, before a 69-49 home loss to Kent State on Jan. 26.

Multiple people with knowledge of Lo's most recent suspension said it stems from academic and disciplinary matters.

Lo could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"I've given him a second chance and an opportunity to be part of this team," Kowalczyk said. "He has not proven to be a positive member of our team thus far, and that's all I'll say about that."

Lo averaged 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19 games last season and provided a presence in the low post.

In Lo's absence, the Rockets have been taking a closer look at 6-foot-6 forward Anthony Wright, who recently made his transfer from the University of Michigan official and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Wright will be able to suit up this season for the Rockets because of an NCAA bylaw that grants players who have completed their undergraduate degree immediate eligibility when they enroll in a graduate school program that is not offered at their former school.

Wright played in 84 games for the Wolverines over the last three years, averaging 3.2 points per game and shooting 32 percent from the field.

"From our point of view, it's essentially banking a scholarship for the 2011 class," Kowalczyk said. "And for him, he gets to pursue a good chunk of his master's degree while being on scholarship, so it's a win-win for both sides. He gives us some veteran leadership, and he also has a big-body presence that can shoot and can score."

Wright has been working out with the Rockets this summer and has fit in well with his new teammates, according to reports relayed back to Kowalczyk.

Per NCAA rules,

Kowalczyk and his coaching staff are not allowed to be present at summer workouts.

So far, sophomore guards Rian Pearson and Malcolm Griffin and incoming freshman point guard J.T. Thomas have been the standouts of the summer, according to those in attendance. Pearson must sit out the 2010-11 season after transferring from Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he played for Kowalczyk last season.

Another Wisconsin-Green Bay transfer, sophomore forward Matt Smith, has missed time with an ankle injury, Kowalczyk said.

For the Rockets, these summer workouts could go a long way in determining their success level this season because of all the new faces on the roster and the amount of time it takes for a team to build chemistry.

"This really serves as our training camp," Kowalczyk said.

"The guys have six weeks together, and we want them to bond both on the court and off the court, do a great job in the weight room, and just get better. If each individual player can get a little bit better, then our team can get a whole lot better over the course of one year."

Contact Zach Silka at:

zsilka@theblade.com

or 419-724-6084.