Diamond Stone's actions vs. Badgers earn him one-game suspension from Terps

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Diamond Stone's actions didn't get him kicked out of Saturday's game, but he will miss time because of them.

Maryland announced Monday that Stone, the Terps' stellar freshman center, will be suspended for the team's Thursday-night game against Minnesota after shoving Wisconsin big man Vitto Brown's head into the floor during Saturday's loss to the Badgers.

In case you missed it, this was the source of much Twitter outrage.

After battling for a rebound under the hoop, Stone appeared to force Brown to the ground and then push Brown's head into the floor. Take a look:

Stone was assessed a technical foul but not ejected from the game.

[MORE BIG TEN: Badgers win seventh straight with epic upset of second-ranked Terps]

Monday, head coach Mark Turgeon announced the one-game suspension for Stone.

“Diamond’s conduct during Saturday’s game was a poor representation of the standards that we have established as a program at the University of Maryland,” Turgeon said the announcement. "I have talked with Diamond, and he realizes he made a mistake. He felt very badly about what happened and will learn from this experience. I want to sincerely apologize to Vitto Brown and (Wisconsin head coach) Greg Gard for what transpired Saturday.”

Stone also issued an apology as part of the statement.

“I want to apologize to Vitto Brown and the Wisconsin basketball team for my unacceptable behavior during Saturday’s game,” Stone said. “I regret that I let the emotions of the game get the best of me. I let my team down, and I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

According to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Stone also called Brown and apologized over the phone.

"You could sense the sincerity in his voice," Brown told Potrykus. "He is young. He is a freshman in a big role at a big university. I understand that the emotions can get to you. It's no big deal for me."

[SHOP BIG TEN: Get your Terps gear right here]

The Big Ten also issued a statement supporting Maryland's suspension of Stone.

"The Big Ten office announced that it agrees with Maryland’s suspension of men’s basketball player Diamond Stone for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy during a game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Feb. 13. The conference also publicly reprimands Stone for his actions. Stone was issued a contact dead ball technical foul at the end of the first half during Saturday’s game against Wisconsin. He will serve his one-game suspension on Thursday, Feb. 18, at Minnesota. Stone’s actions were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that 'The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.'"

Stone is averaging 12.8 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game during a strong freshman campaign, but his absence should not have too much effect on the Terps' chances against the Gophers. Minnesota is winless in Big Ten play.

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