MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Senior forward Jonathan Holton rejoined the West Virginia basketball team Thursday, following a suspension in which the Mountaineers split four games against top-30 RPI teams.
Ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 in offensive rebounding percentage and leading his team in deflections, Holton was sidelined for a violation of team rules. A source said the suspension initially was designated to last three games but Coach Bob Huggins recently indicated Holton’s reinstatement ultimately rested with school officials higher up the administrative food chain.
No. 10 West Virginia (19-5, 8-3), which sits in a three-way tie for the conference lead alongside Oklahoma and Kansas, will host last-place TCU on Saturday.
Holton averaged 9.7 points and 7.5 rebounds through 20 games, along with 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals. His 2-point field-goal percentage of 65.4 is second in the league.
West Virginia lost at Florida 88-71 and at No. 6 Kansas 75-65 without Holton, but in between managed to win at No. 13 Iowa State 81-76 and against No. 15 Baylor 80-69.