STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said guard Ravern Johnson has been suspended indefinitely.
Johnson, a 6-foot-7 senior, is averaging a team-leading 17.7 points per game. He was suspended for Saturday's 58-57 win over LSU because of "inappropriate tweets" that were critical of his role with the team and of fans after the Bulldogs' 75-61 loss to Alabama on Feb. 2. Johnson scored 10 points in the loss to the Tide.
Now Stansbury said Johnson also is facing a suspension for violating the school's class attendance policy. Johnson still will be able to practice with the team.
"He'll make the decision if and when he ever plays," Stansbury said. "... Actions speak louder than words. We'll see. He seems to be very remorseful for things. But there's accountability if you don't do things right."
Johnson also missed a game against Alabama State on Dec. 14 due to an academic suspension.
Johnson started the season as one of the SEC's most prolific scorers, averaging more than 23 points per game over his first eight games. But his role in the offense has gradually diminished, especially after starters Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney returned to the lineup in January.
In seven conference games, he's averaged just 13.1 points per game on 36.1 percent shooting, including 26.1 percent from 3-point range. He ranks third in school history with 228 3-pointers.
Mississippi State (12-10, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) hosts Arkansas (14-8, 4-5) on Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs are currently second in the Western Division, three games behind Alabama.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
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