Horford, Hodskins suspended for South Carolina game
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
COLUMBIA, S.C.-- Senior center Jon Horford and walk-on freshman guard Zach Hodskins have been suspended from the Florida basketball team by Coach Billy Donovan, who cited conduct detrimental to the team.
Neither player made the trip to South Carolina, where the Gators (7-6) open their Southeastern Conference schedule Wednesday night against the Gamecocks (9-3), winners of seven straight.
“This is totally a coaching decision and has nothing to do with the university,” Donovan said. “Our focus now is on this next game and playing with the guys we have here.”
Donovan gave no indication when Horford and Hodskins would be reinstated, other than to say their status would be reevaluated when the team returns to Gainesville. UF's next game is Saturday night at home against Mississippi State.
Minus Horford (pictured), the Gators will start sophomore Chris Walker at center. Walker, averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, will make his second consecutive start and just the third game of his career.
The 6-foot-10 Horford, an instant transfer from Michigan, is averaging 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in starting all but one game this season. He struggled, however, in totaling just six points and five rebounds in losses at Florida State and home against Connecticut the last two outings.
Hodskins has played only seven minutes without scoring this season.
