Robert Williams suspended for three games, Gilder and Hogg for one

Texas A&M players Robert Williams, Admon Gilder and DJ Hogg have been suspended for violating university policy. Williams, a 6’9” sophomore recently named co-SEC Preseason Player of the Year, has been suspended for three games while Gilder and Hogg will sit out one, Friday's exhibition contest against Tarleton State.

Williams, the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and a projected NBA lottery pick last spring, surprised many by choosing to return to A&M for his sophomore season. He will not travel with the team to Germany next week, missing the season opener against #11 West Virginia at Ramstein Air Base. He also will sit for the home opener at Reed Arena against UCSB.

In September, the team announced a five-game suspension for freshman point guard JJ Caldwell, who won't suit up until November 24 against Pepperdine.

With four key players missing for tonight's exhibition, head coach Billy Kennedy will rely on Tyler Davis and Tonny Trocha-Morelos to lead a guard-oriented and very young team. Expect to see freshmen TJ Starks and Savion Flagg and Marquette graduate transfer Duane Wilson inserted into the starting lineup tonight, with fellow freshmen Jay Jay Chandler and Isiah Jasey seeing meaningful playing time. I also anticipate Chris Collins will get some minutes against Tarleton and likely throughout non-conference play.

Suspensions are never good news, and the hope is that Kennedy's firm action with three key players will curb any further interruptions to what could be a special season for the Aggies. If there is an upside to the situation, it's that a talented crop of newcomers looking to earn playing time will gain early experience and have a chance to show what they're capable of contributing.

The official release from Texas A&M:

COLLEGE STATION – The Aggie men's basketball program announced the suspensions of three student-athletes for violations of Texas A&M policy.  Admon Gilder, D.J. Hogg and Robert Williams will sit out tonight's exhibition game against Tarleton State.

Hogg and Gilder will return for the season-opening contest against West Virginia on Nov. 10 while Williams is slated to return to the court Nov. 20 against Oklahoma State.

“Unfortunately, young people make mistakes. We will handle this matter internally and move on as a program,” Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said.