Update: 11/29/12 10:29 a.m. As expected (and alluded to in this article, which was written Monday, Nov. 26, Kim English’s tweets have lead to more information coming out about the Dixon suspension. According to Vahe Gregorian at the Post-Dispatch, the senior shooting guard was accused of rape back in August. Boone County prosecutors reviewed the case but declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence and closed the case on Nov. 16.
Coach Frank Haith and the University of Missouri were somehow able to keep the charges under wraps until former Tiger Kim English’s tweets (listed below) put the suspension into public eye. The secret was exposed when a woman, confirmed to be the accuser, tweeted:
“The student board is not ‘a joke.’ … Dixon is a rapist and I know this because im the victim.”
If these reports are accurate, it’s baffling that Haith would say that the suspension was not due to any legal issues. Rape is a serious a crime as can be committed. The fact that prosecutors have declined to file charges puts Haith and Dixon in difficult positions. Since Dixon was essentially cleared of any wrongdoing, it’s natural for him to expect a return to the court. However, due to the heinous acts of which he’s accused, his reinstatement will cause a firestorm of criticism. Plus I’m sure Haith does not want to reward a player who may have done wrong.
Seems like Haith is walking a fine line here. Ultimately it still may be up to the school president to determine Dixon’s fate on the court.
Original article
Free Michael Dixon Jr.
That’s the outcry of concerned fans of Mizzou basketball following an embarrassing 84-61 loss to the (previously) #2 ranked Louisville Cardinals in last week’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. Despite the rough night vs Louisville, the Tigers finished the tournament in third place by defeating two solid teams in Stanford and VCU. Frank Haith’s jolly band of transfers still sit at a loft #16 ranking after an impressive 6-1 start in the coach’s sophomore season at the helm. Still fans can’t stop asking the question: Where’s Michael Dixon Jr.?
Dixon served as the Tigers’ super sub during last season’s remarkable regular-season run, by averaging 13.5 points off the bench. His high energy level and penchant for taking (and making) big shots was a key ingredient in the Tigers’ 30-5 finish. With the graduation of Marcus Denmon, Kim English and Ricardo Ratliffe, Dixon was expected to slide into a starting role this season and be one of the primary scorers for a reloaded Tigers team.
That all came into question when Haith announced just before the season that Dixon and freshman Dominique Bull would be suspended indefinitely for violating team policy. Neither Haith nor the University gave any specifics regarding the suspension, but did state the issues were legal in nature or against NCAA rules. While rumors have guessed it could’ve regarding grades, class attendance or a possible verbal altercation with a professor, nobody outside the team circle really knows what happened – and that’s how Haith wants it.
While I admire the coach’s commitment to standing his ground and enforcing the principles and expectations set forth by his staff, coach can’t you give us something? In this digital age of 24/7 media, six games (and counting) of tight-lipped sanctions seems like an eternity. Fans might be able to accept the crushing loss if we knew the reason behind the benching. We want to know that even in losses, we gave it our best shot – put our best foot forward. Without Dixon on the court, we can’t say that.
In the Louisville loss, the Tigers were outhustled and had problems handling the ball in the face of their opponent’s high-pressure defense. Outside of Phil Pressey, who had a whopping total of eight turnovers, the team didn’t have a capable ball-handler on the court to deal with the press. They also struggled mightily with the zone defense. Dixon’s intensity, ball-handling and shooting ability would have alleviated many of the weaknesses the team suffered in his absence.
I suspect that the uncertainty and stinging pains of defeat is exactly what Haith is counting on. Before the tournament, the coach was asked by ESPN’s Jayson King why Dixon was traveling with the team despite his suspension.
“It’s all about teaching,” Haith said. “If I leave him back home, what does that do? I want him to feel.”
That pain came to a boil last week after Dixon temporarily broke his silence on Twitter, saying “”Our team fought hard. I wish I could be out there helping them. I’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG! Nobody is going to feel sorry for us tomorrow. #VCU.” The senior guard later deleted the tweet, but that didn’t stop former Tiger teammate English from supporting his friend. Though he didn’t go into specifics, English seemed to suggest the suspension was given by Mizzou’s student board and that the school president could overturn it after an appeal.
Even after the social media chatter and increased coverage through major sports media outlets, Haith is still staying silent. Whatever the reason for the suspension, Haith is sending a strong message to his team that bad behavior won’t be tolerated on his watch. If and when Dixon returns to the lineup, expect that fearless shooter to take out his frustrations on opposing teams. But Haith has to be careful not to overplay his hand. The longer he stays mum on the issue, the bigger the rumor mill will get and the higher the tension will get for players, fans and media. He’s avoided a circus thus far, but if there’s still no word or no Michael Dixon Jr. by the time Mizzou emerges from its upcoming 4-game cupcake circuit, expect Barnum and Bailey to travel with the Tigers going forward.
