Victor Robbins To Serve "Extended Suspension"

Oregon St. has been without forward Victor Robbins since he was suspended for 10 games prior to the trip to the Washington schools, but speculation about whether he would ever return has ramped up since he was cited last Sunday morning for DUII, after testing at a .13 blood alcohol content.

Robbins was on the bench at the beginning of the Beavers' game against Washington Sunday afternoon, but left during the first half, and did not accompany the team on the trip to LA for this week's Pac-12 road series.

Oregon St. head coach Wayne Tinkle, who did not become aware of Robbins' Sunday morning incident until after the game, issued a statement this afternoon, as the team prepares to play at UCLA tonight.

"Victor Robbins is going to serve an extended suspension from the team for this latest incident. We know that he has some issues that he has to work through, and we feel that by removing basketball from the equation for the time being, it will allow him to put the focus where he needs to. We are going to continue with our academic support, financial aid, and all of those things. We have a structured plan in place for him back in Corvallis. We are going to keep our arms around him and make sure that he follows the steps that he needs to and be there to support him."

So it appears there may yet be a future for Robbins, but probably not this year.

Tinkle continues to impress as a coach, as he has not thrown the young man aside, despite some demonstrated problems, as he could have, and many would have, yet he has also not minimized the significance of the matter, opting for an extensive plan of correction.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com