Ohio State’s Luther Muhammad, Duane Washington Jr. suspended for Nebraska game

Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann has suspended sophomore guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr. for Tuesday night’s men’s basketball game against Nebraska for a failure to meet team expectations.

The announcement of the news came shortly before the game against the Cornhuskers in Value City Arena and comes with the Buckeyes nursing a four-game losing streak.

It is possible the players could wind up sitting out multiple games, but that decision rests with Holtmann, The Dispatch has learned.

Both sophomores play critical roles in Ohio State’s rotation. Without them, the Buckeyes have only two scholarship guards: junior CJ Walker and freshman D.J. Carton.

Washington is second on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game. He was benched for much of Saturday’s loss at Indiana for what Holtmann said was a lack of overall effort and played just eight minutes. It marked the first game in his career that Washington has not been credited with at least one field goal attempt.

Muhammad started the first 15 games of the season but came off the bench against the Hoosiers as he has endured an offensive slump. He is averaging 6.5 points and playing 24.0 minutes per game.

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy

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