Hurricanes top scorer McClinton gets OK to play; Rios reinstated

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami Hurricanes scoring leader Jack McClinton has been cleared to play Saturday against Kentucky after being ejected from his team's most recent game, and reserve guard Eddie Rios has been reinstated.

Rios was suspended indefinitely by coach Frank Haith before Tuesday's loss to Ohio State for violating a team rule.

McClinton was thrown out in the first half against Ohio State after he took a swipe with the palm of his hand at an opposing player, brushing his face. Atlantic Coast Conference officials reviewed the incident and decided against further action, the school said Thursday.

Miami is 4-2 and ranked No. 21.

Speaking about the matter for the first time, McClinton said he made a mistake.

"That was definitely not me," he said. "I am not that type of person. I would never do anything to put myself or my team in jeopardy. It was a bad reaction on my part. You have to stay composed. The best ones do that."

After McClinton's ejection, the Hurricanes blew a 15-point lead.

"I know Jack feels really bad about what happened," Haith said. "He handled it with his teammates, and he knows his actions hurt us."

McClinton, a senior who last season became the first Miami player to make the All-ACC first team, is averaging 15.2 points a game. Rios is averaging 6.0 points and 14.8 minutes per game.