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Big 12 hands out 12-game suspension for Kansas’ Silvio De Sousa for inciting brawl vs. Kansas State

By Patrick Schmidt

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: Silvio De Sousa #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks picks up a chair during a brawl as the game against the Kansas State Wildcats ends at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: Silvio De Sousa #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks picks up a chair during a brawl as the game against the Kansas State Wildcats ends at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Silvio De Sousa has been suspended indefinitely for his role in an ugly brawl at the end of the Kansas-Kansas State game on Tuesday night.

Kansas head coach Bill Self has suspended Silvio De Sousa indefinitely for his actions in what Self called an embarrassing brawl at the end of Kansas’ win over rival Kansas State. De Sousa blocked the shot of DaJuan Gordon in the closing seconds with the Jayhawks leading 81-59 and sparked a benches-clearing brawl.

“I have suspended Silvio De Sousa indefinitely pending the final outcome of the review by KU and the Big 12 Conference,” Self said in a statement. “As I said last night, we are disappointed in his actions and there is no place in the game for that behavior.”

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: The Big 12 has issued the following suspensions:

Kansas

  • Silvio De Sousa – 12 games
  • David McCormack – 2 games

Kansas State

  • James Love – 8 games
  • Antonio Gordon – 3 games

“This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated and these suspensions reflect the severity of last evening’s events,” said Commissioner Bob Bowlsby in a statement.  “I am appreciative of the cooperation of both institutions in resolving this matter.”

The brawl was reminiscent of the Malace in the Palace brawl that broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers that saw Ron Artest go into the stands to confront fans.

Similarly, the players from Kansas and Kansas State were in the vicinity of fans when the ugly scene escalated from a little scuffle into an all-out basketball brawl.

It was a scary scene for the fans and spectators who got too close to the action. It was an embarrassing moment for both programs. The worst moment happens when De Sousa grabs a stool like he was a WWE performer before dropping the stool before he could use it as a weapon.

No one was hurt in the brawl, besides the reputation of De Sousa who had ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale calling for his banishment from the NCAA.

“Well, just absolutely sickening, unbelievable,” Vitale said during ESPN’s broadcast of Miami vs. Duke. “I think there’s no doubt in my mind that De Sousa never, ever should put a uniform on in college basketball again.”

Vitale’s opinion is a strong one, and perhaps one that is far too harsh, but it’s up to the Big 12 review to determine if such action will be warranted. For now, De Sousa’s college career is in jeopardy and his return to the Kansas lineup is in doubt.

The loss of De Sousa could cost Kansas a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as well as a chance at the Big 12 conference title with Baylor holding the advantage courtesy of their head-to-head win. And for De Sousa, his pro future certainly takes a stock because every team he meets with ahead of the NBA Draft will ask first about his role in this brawl and secondly about his playing ability.

The rematch between the two rivals takes place at Kansas State on Feb. 29.

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