INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA reprimanded Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy on Thursday for his temper tantrum at the end of the Cyclones' Midwest Regional Final loss to Michigan State.
The Division I Men's Basketball Committee also recommended additional
sanctions against Eustachy if he violates rules of conduct in the future.
In a one-sentence statement Eustachy said: "I believe in being held
accountable for one's actions, and I support the NCAA committee's commitment to
sportsmanship in the NCAA tournament."
Eustachy received a double technical foul in the final minute of the 75-64
loss.
With Iowa State down 69-64, guard Michael Nurse was called for an offensive
foul, becoming the second Cyclone player to be disqualified from the game.
Players tried to hold Eustachy back, but he tore past them to confront
officials Curtis Shaw, Frank Basone and Lonnie Dixon. Dixon called a technical
on the coach, who grew angrier, pushing players away and approaching Basone. A
second technical was called, sending Eustachy to the locker room.
The committee cited Eustachy for the profane language he used against
officials and walking onto the floor to yell further.
"The committee acknowledges and appreciates the otherwise exemplary
behavior displayed by coach Eustachy during the championship, particularly the
apologies he offered after the game and in subsequent weeks," said Craig
Thompson, chairman of the committee and commissioner of the Mountain West
Conference.
"But we must address the fact he did commit a serious act of misconduct;
his actions were unacceptable and discredited himself, his university and the
championship."
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