Quote:If you're a Virginia basketball fan and you follow the program closely, you have probably been expecting this day to eventually come. On Monday, UVa coach Pete Gillen suspended sophomore point guard Keith Jenifer indefinitely. During the suspension, Jenifer will not be allowed to play or practice with the team.

No excuse was given for the disciplinary action taken by Gillen. The fifth-year Virginia coach simply stated on his weekly radio show that the suspension stemmed from an incident on Saturday night after getting pasted 80-60 by Georgia Tech in Alanta. It is being investigated further. But again, if you follow the program closely, this unfortunately comes as no surprise.

Jenifer's off-court antics have been the subject of internet rumors since practically the day he arrived in Charlottesville. Reports of excessive recreational fun were among the mildest of the charges levied at Jenifer by Cavalier fans. His scuffle and verbal interchange with Gary Williams drew national attention last year. Earlier this season he was suspended for an exhibition game for a violation of team rules. In yet another unflattering moment Jenifer was caught by ESPN cameras hitting Indiana's Tom Coverdale below the belt in the Maui Invitational Championship game. He is widely regarded by opposing fans around the ACC as a "punk."

Is that a fair assessment? I can't say. But that reputation took its most damaging blow in an editorial written to The Daily Progress in Charlottesville. In the editorial a Virginia alum chronicled walking on the Corner on homecoming weekend with her husband and another couple. The author then claimed that her group was verbally assaulted by Jenifer, who she referred to as a "bully." Ah, there's nothing like good PR.

Gillen defended his player, but Virginia fans had seen enough. As they saying goes, where there's smoke, there's fire. In the eyes of many the Baltimore native had become an embarrassment to the University. Cries for action were made, yet none was taken. Until now. I don't know what happened on Saturday night. I have heard some reports but nothing concrete enough for me to print. I do, however, have to believe that this action was the result of more than one situation.

What hasn't helped matters with the fans has been Jenifer's less than stellar play on the court. Despite signs of improvement, KJ has never shown any consistency as a shooter, and he is prone to turnovers and poor defense. Additionally, he has convinced nobody that he's a leader on the floor. All told, not good qualities for a point guard. And while it may be wrong and many fans would choose to deny this, Jenifer's off-court reputation has been intensified by his poor play on the court. Anyone who believes that Jenifer would be just as harshly criticized for his behavior if he played like Allen Iverson is kidding themselves. Save your breath, I'm not buying it.

But the realty is what it is. And the coldest, harshest realty of all is that it is time for this relationship to end. Virginia basketball and Keith Jenifer need a divorce. Call it irreconcilable differences and let's get a lawyer on the horn. It's time to end this. Jenifer needs to move on and UVa needs to move on. It's the best thing for all involved. I truly believe that.

Whether or not Pete Gillen believes that is another thing. But my guess is that we may have seen Jenifer in a Virginia uniform for the last time. I may be wrong and I haven't been told so by anyone who might know for sure, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It's sad when things like this happen, but this action in this instance is a must.

When you're in the public eye the way an ACC basketball player will be, you have to understand that people are paying attention to you. I guess Jenifer never figured that out. And while the situation is sad, I don't feel sorry for him. A basketball scholarship to a school like Virginia is invaluable, but Jenifer wasted the opportunity. KJ made this bed and now it's time for him to remove the sheets and pack them up. And it should be Gillen helping him pack.

The Peoples Champion Wrote:It sucks for this kid. Hopefully, he can get it together. It may not be as a cavalier though...