Feb. 15, 2000 SportsLine wire reports

MINNEAPOLIS -- Just a day after being selected Big Ten Player of the Week, Minnesota center Joel Przybilla was suspended indefinitely from the team for failing to meet academic requirements, Gophers coach Dan Monson said during practice Tuesday.

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Monson did not immediately specify what standards Przybilla did not meet, other than to say the sophomore 7-footer fell short of team rules in several areas.

Przybilla did not attend practice Tuesday. Monson said the suspension will last as long as the problem exists.

"There's a definite lack of commitment," Monson said. "There's more than one thing. But I'm not going to elaborate much more than that. It's an academic thing. He's got to commit to academics or he's not going to be a part of this."

Monson said he had previously discussed the problem with Przybilla.

"He knew that these were the consequences if he didn't meet his team rules on academics, and he hasn't fulfilled his obligations," Monson said.

When asked how many warnings Przybilla had received, Monson replied, "plenty."

"The decision shouldn't be a surprise for him," Monson said.

Przybilla was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday for a 33-point, 14-rebound effort in the Gophers' upset win against Indiana. The sophomore was averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds in Big Ten play this season.

"Right now I think it's disappointing and I think his teammates are disappointed," Monson said.

Monson took over in July as coach of the Gophers, inheriting a program that is under NCAA investigation for allegations of academic fraud. The allegations cost former coach Clem Haskins his job, as well as resulting in the team being banned from postseason play this year.

University officials praised Monson for suspending his star.

"It is imperative that we send the right message to student-athletes, that we take academic issues seriously," interim athletic director Tom Moe said.

"Student-athletes will be held to the standard of students," said Sandra Gardebring, vice president for university relations. "They have to go to class, do their homework and get their papers in on time. There is a question of personal responsibility here."

In November, Przybilla also missed a practice and a preseason game for what he called personal reasons.

If Przybilla decides to forgo his final two years of college eligibility, he would be a projected lottery pick in the NBA draft in June.