Poll
Should Cal or the Pac-12 suspend men's basketball coach Mike Montgomery for one game?
Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.
Before delivering the shove that sent shock waves throughout the NCAA, Cal men's basketball coach Mike Montgomery had a national reputation as a gentleman of the game.
Montgomery, who spent 18 years at Stanford, could never be mistaken for one of those sideline-screaming coaches with their ties askew and shirttails hanging out.
That's why it was surprising to see Montgomery, 65, lose his cool with 20-year-old junior Allen Crabbe, who Montgomery thought wasn't giving it the old college try Sunday night against USC.
Montgomery screamed at Crabbe and then delivered a short but deliberate shove. He later said he'd do it again because it worked. Crabbe responded by leading the Bears over the Trojans and Monday was named Pacific-12 Conference Player of the Week.
On Tuesday, Montgomery apologized to Crabbe, the school and all involved for his actions, saying it had never happened before and would never happen again.
But sometimes sorry isn't enough.
The Pac-12 and the university reprimanded Montgomery, but they came up short. He should have been suspended for one game.
The coach should have taken the same punishment he delivered to Crabbe – shoved off the court in anger and benched long enough for him to pull himself together until he was ready to get back in the game.
What to do
Prep boys playoffs, No. 10 Laguna Creek at No. 7 Rocklin, 7 p.m.: Junior guard Andrew Lewis (17.5 points per game) and the Cardinals seek a Division II road upset.
Today's poll
Should Cal or the Pac-12 suspend men's basketball coach Mike Montgomery for one game?
• Yes
• No
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Tuesday's results
What is the greatest pro sports dynasty?
• Celtics: 17%
• Packers: 7%
• Lakers: 13%
• Yankees: 54%
• Canadiens: 3%
• Other: 6%
Total votes: 286
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