Hokies suspend Eddie

GREENSBORO, N.C. --- Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg wouldn't answer questions Wednesday about why forward Jarell Eddie didn't play in the regular season finale.

Turns out Eddie won't play in the ACC tournament (or anything else this season).

The freshman was suspended for the remainder of the year late Wednesday, a late-night edict about a player who averaged 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.9 minutes this season.

In a release, the school said the suspension was a response to a Feb. 15 incident in Blacksburg. Eddie was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession last month.

While Eddie's absence likely isn't substantial enough to influence how the NCAA tournament committee views the Hokies (19-10), it does hurt Virginia Tech's chances of making an extended run in the ACC tournament. Virginia Tech is down to seven scholarship players, with forward Jeff Allen playing on a gimpy ankle.

Eddie didn't play in the game after his arrest at Virginia, then returned and scored 17 points at Wake Forest on Feb. 22. He played sparingly the next two games, then did not appear in Saturday's loss at Clemson.

--- Patrick Stevens