MORGANTOWN - If West Virginia's basketball team is to indeed contend for a Big East basketball title this winter, first the Mountaineers need to get their ship in order.

That's because both of WVU's point guards now find themselves suspended indefinitely.

Sophomore-to-be Darryl "Truck'' Bryant is the latest casualty, having been suspended by coach Bob Huggins on Wednesday after a hit-and-run traffic accident that resulted in four misdemeanor charges being filed against the New York native.

"Darryl is suspended from all team-related activities,'' Huggins said in a short release issued by the school late Wednesday afternoon. He did not elaborate, but the release pointed to a "violation of team rules'' as the reason for the suspension.

Veteran Joe Mazzulla, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, has been suspended since late April after being charged with domestic battery. That leaves Will Thomas as the only scholarship point guard on the roster and Thomas, who has played sparingly during his two seasons, would seem an unlikely candidate to be in the starting mix.

Bryant was apparently suspended because of his involvement in a traffic accident outside of Morgantown early Wednesday, after which he left the scene. He was charged with four misdemeanors, including leaving the scene of an accident. No one was injured in the accident and Bryant is free on bond.

Bryant played in every West Virginia game last season and became the starter after Mazzulla was injured in early December.

Forced into more minutes than he was probably ready for, the 6-foot-2 freshman struggled at times, but still averaged almost 10 points per game and scored 22 in a win over Marshall.

West Virginia has four incoming recruits for next season, but none are point guards.

Reach Dave Hickman at 304-348-1734 or dphickm...@aol.com.

MORGANTOWN - If West Virginia's basketball team is to indeed contend for a Big East basketball title this winter, first the Mountaineers need to get their ship in order.

That's because both of WVU's point guards now find themselves suspended indefinitely.

Sophomore-to-be Darryl "Truck'' Bryant is the latest casualty, having been suspended by coach Bob Huggins on Wednesday after a hit-and-run traffic accident that resulted in four misdemeanor charges being filed against the New York native.

"Darryl is suspended from all team-related activities,'' Huggins said in a short release issued by the school late Wednesday afternoon. He did not elaborate, but the release pointed to a "violation of team rules'' as the reason for the suspension.

Veteran Joe Mazzulla, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, has been suspended since late April after being charged with domestic battery. That leaves Will Thomas as the only scholarship point guard on the roster and Thomas, who has played sparingly during his two seasons, would seem an unlikely candidate to be in the starting mix.

Bryant was apparently suspended because of his involvement in a traffic accident outside of Morgantown early Wednesday, after which he left the scene. He was charged with four misdemeanors, including leaving the scene of an accident. No one was injured in the accident and Bryant is free on bond.

Bryant played in every West Virginia game last season and became the starter after Mazzulla was injured in early December.

Forced into more minutes than he was probably ready for, the 6-foot-2 freshman struggled at times, but still averaged almost 10 points per game and scored 22 in a win over Marshall.

West Virginia has four incoming recruits for next season, but none are point guards.

Reach Dave Hickman at 304-348-1734 or dphickm...@aol.com.