Off-court issues bench two Tigers

By Ryan Huber

Published Nov. 2, 2007

While the Tigers enjoyed what coach Mike Anderson called the team's last "fun day before the season starts" in the annual Black and Gold game Tuesday night, two familiar faces were at the end of the team bench in street clothes.

With one seat separating the two, recently reinstated senior forward Darryl Butterfield and senior point guard Stefhon Hannah watched as the Tigers racked up a total of 196 points on the evening.

"We had a couple of guys that you saw in street clothes," Anderson said. "Of course, Darryl Butterfield being one of those guys. He is suspended from competition as we all know. There are some things he needs to do. It is an ongoing thing."

While the nature of Butterfield's suspension from the team is known, neither Anderson nor any players commented on the specific reasoning behind Hannah's benching.

Butterfield was charged with disturbing the peace after being arrested on Oct. 17 on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault.

"I'm just not happy with some of the things he is doing right now off the court, and that is just team rules," Anderson said. "You've got to follow team rules. We will address that and see what happens here during the period before the next game."

Anderson gave no timeframe as to when the duo will dress for game action.

"We will play it by game," he said.

In the meantime, both Butterfield and Hannah are allowed to practice with the team.

Although the decision to bench Hannah could be looked at as a demotion, Anderson's decision on Monday to reinstate Butterfield as a practice player appears to be just the opposite. Anderson commonly refers to his 6-foot-7-inch forward as a "kamikaze guy" both on the practice court and the times when he comes off the bench in games. He has been out of practice since Oct. 17, something many of the starters said hurt their practices' upbeat, Anderson-style intensity.

"It feels good to have him back," senior forward Marshall Brown said. "He is one of those guys who plays extremely hard and is going to try to make you better every time he is on the floor."

Junior forward and Vanderbilt transfer DeMarre Carroll said having Butterfield back in practice helps him elevate his game on both sides of the ball.

"It's real nice," Carroll said. "With him next to me on the press, we get a lot of deflects and steals. We know when to trap, and we know the system. It is really good to have him back. It helps me become a better basketball player with him bringing the intensity and bringing powerful force that helps me."