When men’s basketball coach Ernie Zeigler released a statement Sunday saying senior forward and convicted misdemeanant Eddie Spencer will be given the “opportunity to earn back the privilege of representing our basketball program on and off the court,” one glaring question emerged.

How can Spencer “earn back” the privilege of representing the men’s basketball team if he still is a member of the men’s basketball team?

It seems Zeigler’s statement is just a smokescreen to make it seem as though Spencer is being punished by the team.

Spencer was sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail, as well as other punishments, for two counts of attempted resisting and obstructing arrest and a repeat offense of driving with a suspended license.

But instead of serving the sentence entirely within the Isabella County Jail, Spencer gets to leave for class and basketball training.

So wait. Spencer is getting “punished” by being able to work out with his teammates?

Obviously, being allowed to go to class makes sense. But how is it a punishment if Spencer still gets to do one of the things he loves – play basketball?

Letting Spencer work out with the team totally discredits Zeigler’s statement. The only way Spencer should “earn back” his spot on the team is if he is not on the team to begin with.

But since he gets time off of jail to work out with his teammates, it sounds a lot like Spencer still is a part of the team.

How’s he going to earn back his spot? By running a few extra laps during a practice session? Or by making 50 consecutive free throws?

Zeigler should have been much harsher with Spencer. Suspending him for a large chunk of next season, if not kicking him completely off the team, should have happened.

Before Friday’s sentencing, Spencer was seen Thursday morning at CMU’s Pro Scouting Day in the Indoor Athletic Complex, yukking it up with former Central quarterback Kent Smith, among other athletes, before working out with his team.

He did not look like someone worried about his future on the team.

Earlier this year, Boston College head men’s coach Al Skinner booted two players – Sean Williams and Akida McLain – from the team in January during the season for repeated, but unspecified, conduct detrimental to the team. Gonzaga coach Mark Few suspended Josh Heytvelt for the duration of the season in February because he was charged – not convicted – with felony drug possession.

These coaches simply didn’t want players hurting their teams, and even though none had been convicted of anything, their coaches didn’t care.

So while these coaches took a stance and booted these players – Williams and Heytvelt were important starters; Williams even is a possible NBA lottery draft pick – Zeigler is giving Spencer and his 6.9 points per game this season a chance to “earn back” his spot on the team.

Obviously he’s going to earn it back if his teammates see him every day and attest to his “rehabilitation.”

This was Zeigler’s first opportunity to take the stance that he won’t tolerate troublemakers on his basketball team.

Too bad he blew it.

E-mail the author: defaultuser