Bibby Rebuts Pac-10’s Hansen

Coach Henry Bibby took umbrage Tuesday at Pacific 10 Conference Commissioner Tom Hansen’s description of Errick Craven’s foul that led to Craven’s one-game suspension.

Hansen had referred Monday to Richard Midgley as being “violently assaulted” after the California player was fouled by Craven in a game Feb. 21.

Said Bibby: “Like we have a criminal? One of the kids is a criminal?

“To use the wording that he used ... I think that’s totally not normal to do. You can’t use that word on the kids. Did they assault anyone? It’s incredible that you can use those terms on kids.

“That’s not right and it’s not fair to do that ... portraying these kids as bad kids and they’re not bad kids.

“We’re not the prison. We’re here to educate the kids.”

Craven came down hard on a driving Midgley’s back and was called for a foul. As Craven came over Midgley, Midgley threw a left hand at Craven. Craven was suspended for a game and Midgley was put on probation, essentially, Hansen said, because Midgley had swung in self-defense.

“I don’t get that one either,” Bibby said.

The NCAA rule book defines fighting as “an attempt to punch or kick an opponent, regardless of whether contact is made” and adds, “when fighting by a player occurs during a live ball, it shall be ruled a flagrant personal foul” and states that “the first time an individual participates in a fight ... the individual shall be suspended from participating in the team’s next regular-season game.”

No flagrant foul was called on Craven or his brother Derrick, who later took two swings at Midgley and connected with one. Instead, Midgley was called for the foul.

The Pac-10 rule book, however, allows the commissioner to mete out whatever punishment he deems necessary. Errick will sit out Thursday’s game at Oregon and Derrick Saturday’s game at Oregon State.

Bibby said he had spoken with Lou Campanelli, Pac-10 coordinator of men’s basketball officiating and a former Cal coach, to voice his concerns about a perceived double standard.

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Cal Coach Ben Braun took exception to a report that his program had sent a tape of the incidents to the Pac-10.

“Cal didn’t need to bring anything to anybody’s attention,” Braun said. “It would be erroneous to report it was Cal.”

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Freshman guard Lodrick Stewart, whose playing time is expected to increase with the Craven suspensions, did not practice because of flu and had to take an IV to replenish fluids.