Kabongo to be back — eventually

With guard out another 12 games, team soldiers on against Spartans.

DETROIT — Longhorn point guard Myck Kabongo received a 23-game suspension from the NCAA Friday — 13 games longer than some in the University of Texas athletic department had anticipated a few weeks ago.

Kabongo, a sophomore, already has missed 11 of the 23. He can return with eight games remaining in the regular season.

According to the NCAA, Kabongo was penalized for accepting impermissible benefits and then providing false statements.

The NCAA says that Kabongo accepted airfare and personal training instruction and then provided false and misleading information during two separate interviews with University of Texas officials. UT forwarded that information to the NCAA.

“We feel for Myck,” coach

1 p.m., ESPN 2, 98.1, 1300 Rick Barnes said in a prepared statement. “He made some mistakes early in this process, and he put himself in a tough position. That said, he was truthful and forthcoming when he talked with the NCAA.”

According to the NCAA, the university was notified Dec. 14 that Kabongo would be suspended for the entire season.

Myck Kabongo, accused of accepting improper benefits, will be able to return with eight games left in the season.