The 2011 Pac-10 Conference Tournament doesn't start until Wednesday, with the top six teams not having to play until Thursday, but there was some big news involving the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds on Tuesday. UCLA junior guard Malcolm Lee has a small cartilage tear in his left knee, but isn't expected to miss any playing time. Meanwhile, Washington senior guard Venoy Overton has been suspended by the team for reportedly giving alcohol to a minor.
Lee was named to the All Pac-10 First Team as well as the All Pac-10 Defensive Team, and is expected to play Thursday against the winner of Oregon vs. Arizona St Wednesday matchup. "He has a small tear in cartilage, that's why he had mild swelling," head coach Ben Howland said, "He should be good to go on Thursday." Lee didn't practice today, but will go through some shooting drills on Wednesday.
As for Overton, a three-month investigation determined that he furnished alcohol to a minor at a party in January. Once Overton was charged today with a crime, Huskies' coach Lorenzo Romar suspended Overton for the entirety of the Pac-10 tournament, per The Seattle Times:
"As far as I'm concerned, behavior needs to change and we have to learn from our mistakes. Mistakes are going to be made, but every situation is different. I don't think you handle every situation the same way sometimes. It's important from here on out that we learn from this and go from here."
Overton averages 6.0 points for the Huskies, but is considered a defensive specialist.
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