Kerwin Roach is reportedly serving yet another suspension.
The Texas guard will not play Saturday against Oklahoma due to a violation of team rules, according to Horns247.com, which cited two anonymous sources close to the situation.
Roach is averaging a team-best 15 points for the Longhorns, who have won three of their last four games to improve to 15-11 overall and 7-6 in the Big 12. While Roach is expected to miss the game against the Sooners, the length of his absence is unknown, Horns247 reported. It’s the third time during his career that Roach has been suspended, most recently to start this season and previously during his sophomore year of 2016-17.
Texas would not confirm the report, per Brian Davis of the Austin American Statesman.
A Texas spokesman could not confirm a report that Kerwin Roach will be suspended vs. Oklahoma. No decision on Roach's status has been made, per UT.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisUT) February 22, 2019
The suspension comes at a critical time for the Longhorns as they look to secure an NCAA tournament bid. The game in Norman on Saturday is the first of back-to-back road games with the second coming next week at Baylor before the Longhorns host Iowa State and travel to Texas Tech. A significant stumble down the stretch could endanger what looks to be solid bid footing right now.
Roach’s absence takes significant experience off the floor for Texas as the Longhorns will now be relying on underclassmen guards and junior transfer Elijah Mitrou-Long in the backcourt.