Buffalo’s chances of returning to the NCAA tournament took a major blow on Monday afternoon, as forward Justin Moss was dismissed from the team.
Moss, along with teammates Raheem Johnson and Mory Diane, was suspended in June after the three were caught stealing money from the dorm room of two Buffalo football players.
“Justin Moss is not currently enrolled in classes at the University at Buffalo, nor is he participating in university activities,” read a statement released by the university. “Because of federal privacy laws protecting student records, the university cannot comment further on this matter.”
As a junior, Moss was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder at 17.5 points and 9.2 boards per game, en route to MAC Player of the Year honors. He led the Bulls to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
According to the statement, Johnson and Diane, two reserve players, are both still enrolled in the classes and remain members of the men’s basketball program. Moss had been on probation due to a prior on-campus theft.
Nate Oats’ inherited a terrific team when he was hired to replace the departing Bobby Hurley, but after Moss’ dismissal and Shannon Evans’ decision to follow his coach to Arizona State, the Bulls are down their two top scorers from a season ago.