One Of College Basketball's Best Mid-Major Players May Not Play This Year

So, some big news in the world of mid-major basketball this year. Illinois State has suspended Milik Yarbrough, its best player, for an indefinite amount of time. He’s suspended for being in police custody following a ‘traffic citation failure to provide information and aid in an injury-related accident.’ It’s his fourth run-in with the police in the last two years.

Illinois State is expected to compete with Loyola and Southern Illinois in the MVC this season. Now, obviously Loyola is the name we all know with the run to the Final Four and the fact they return a good amount of production from last year’s team. But, Illinois State did make it to the MVC title game last season after finishing 3rd in the regular season. They played Loyola to a seven point game, twice during the regular season before losing to the Ramblers 65-49 in the MVC finals.

Illinois State didn’t lose anyone to graduation while returning Yarbrough. He was the preseason favorite for MVC Player of the Year after winning MVC Newcomer of the Year last year when he put up 16.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 4.8 apg. He finished 4th in the country in assist percentage and 28th in the country in drawing fouls. He’s a vital part to what Illinois State does on both sides of the ball.

There are no rumors about how long he’s been suspended, but if you see indefinite this close to the season you have to assume it’ll be a lengthy suspension (unless he’s proven innocent).