THE SCHIFINO SITUATION

THE SCHIFINO SITUATION — Georgetown received an unexpected gift Friday when Mountaineers coach John Beilein suspended guard Drew Schifino, the Big East’s seventh-best scorer (17.6 points), indefinitely for violating team rules. According to Schifino, he was suspended because he voiced his concerns about his role on the team to the media.

The problem started following Wednesday’s 63-52 loss at Notre Dame, when Schifino’s NCAA-best streak of scoring double figures in 48 straight games came to end as he finished with nine points on 4-for-9 shooting in 27 minutes. Schifino, the Big East’s top returning scorer, complained to the Dominion Post that he wasn’t getting enough shots for the Mountaineers to win. On Thursday, Schifino met with Beilein, and they discussed the junior’s comments. Beilein initially suspended Schifino for yesterday’s game but imposed an indefinite sentence when Schifino blew off Thursday’s practice and film session.

“I think I got suspended for no reason, and I don’t agree with that,” Schifino said. “I didn’t say anything about [Beilein]. I didn’t say anything about my teammates. I don’t think he should suspend me for making quotes. If we win and I make those quotes, nothing happens.”

On top of his suspension, Schifino said Beilein is betraying him in the locker room.

“He’s telling the team I was never a team player, I was never a good defender, I never worried about the team, just myself,” Schifino said. “He said the team was better off without me.”

Beilein, who is in his second season and has his son, Patrick, on the roster, said he tried to reach out to Schifino but got no response. Schifino said this problem can be easily solved.

“If he wants to keep me suspended, let it be,” Schifino said. “I can always transfer.”

A GENEROUS DONATION — Jerry West, the president of basketball operations for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and West Virginia basketball legend, donated $100,000 to the university as a tribute to Ann Dinardi, who died in October at 97.

Dinardi was West’s mentor, friend and landlord during West’s All-American career in the late 1950s. West and many other players lived at Dinardi’s house in the days before dormitories.

TIED A SCHOOL RECORD — Patrick Beilein tied a West Virginia record that has stood since 1975 by making two free throws with 26.5 seconds left. Beilein has made 32 in a row, tying Stan Boskovich.

— Ken Wright