Johnson done, Budinich suspended, Canada trip postponed

Gidal Kaiser · Post by **Gidal Kaiser** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:13 pm

So far, Brad hasn't called me back. If he does, I'll ask more about it. Here's the press release.

"BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State men's basketball coach Brad Huse has dismissed forward Tre Johnson from the squad and imposed multiple disciplinary sanctions on forward Jeff Budinich, Huse said Friday.
Budinich's sanctions include significant reduction of scholarship, a three game suspension, community service, volunteer hours to the athletic department, and an academic year evening curfew. In addition, Huse announced that the tour to Canada planned for next week has been suspended until a later date.
"The timing of the incident has impacted our plans to make this trip," Huse said, "as we were planning to do the majority of our on-court work for the trip this week. We’ve decided to suspend those activities and suspend the trip for now."
Calling the "allegations stemming from the incident (involving Budinich and Johnson) extremely disappointing and disheartening," Huse said his decision to dismiss Johnson and extend Budinich's suspension while maintaining his status on the MSU roster comes from a thorough evaluation of the time each has spent in the program.
"While Jeff and Tre both engaged in conduct detrimental to the team and the University," Huse said, "we have evaluated their status based on the totality of their conduct and actions since they entered our program as freshmen. I’ve gathered a lot of input and processed this thoroughly and I believe swift decisions based on the severity of the situation needed to occur. Based on current and past conduct and on what is known with certainty, I determined the level of discipline for each."
Huse said he is "saddened with the way these actions reflect on Montana State University and the MSU men's basketball program. Our Athletic Department, our program, and our coaches have worked very hard to educate our student-athletes in the importance of making good and ethical decisions, especially when representing the University in interactions with the community. Again, we’re extremely disappointed with what has taken place, but we will continue to work to be positive stewards and representatives of our athletic department and Montana State University.”
Huse indicated that Johnson will be given his full release should he decide to pursue his athletic career elsewhere. "

CatBlitz · Post by **CatBlitz** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:11 am

so why is Tre done and Budinich just disciplined? I get the "evaluation" part but it just seems odd.

CPACAT · Post by **CPACAT** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:21 am

CatBlitz wrote:so why is Tre done and Budinich just disciplined? I get the "evaluation" part but it just seems odd.

I would guess because there are prior issues we don't know about.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:52 am

I am disappointed that both were not booted. They both blatantly broke into vehichles and admitted stealing. We don't need pople like that inBozeman and playing for MSU. Huse needs to go. Like I said he has struck out on the court, academically, and in the community. Three strikes your out!

Gidal Kaiser · Post by **Gidal Kaiser** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:47 pm

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap ... s/?p=10635 Blog post on dismissal

BLACKnBLUEnGOLD · Post by **BLACKnBLUEnGOLD** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:00 pm

I wonder if the race card is the correct play here. Or is it just "Huse hates Johnson?"

I don't find either implausible.

Breaking into cars is some serious bullcrap. A lot worse than starting a fight with a guy out of your weight class and getting stomped for your troubles. I might have booted both of them.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:07 pm

Tre was temporarily suspended last season wasn't he? My guess is he already had his final warning...still seems odd to dole out separate punishments???

bobcatskier · Post by **bobcatskier** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:00 pm

I wonder if Coach Huse would have come up with a different punishment if it was his truck that Budinich had broken into?

Sorry, but different punishments for different athletes for the same infraction will be perceived badly. A very bad and disappointing call....

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:49 pm

I agree, both should have been gone. Maybe Tre had more infractions but breaking into cars and stealing and admitting it, is bad. Have you ever had your car broken into? You feel violated. We don't need anyone in Bozeman that does this kind of thing. Yes, they reduced Budinich's scholarship and suspended him for three games but that doesn't make up for doing what he did. Sorry--very disappointed in this decison by Huse!

LongTimeCatFan · Post by **LongTimeCatFan** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:07 pm

bobcatbob wrote:I agree, both should have been gone. Maybe Tre had more infractions but breaking into cars and stealing and admitting it, is bad. Have you ever had your car broken into? You feel violated. We don't need anyone in Bozeman that does this kind of thing. Yes, they reduced Budinich's scholarship and suspended him for three games but that doesn't make up for doing what he did. Sorry--very disappointed in this decison by Huse!

Good post

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MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:53 pm

Sent them all packing. Huse has had his time and he has don't worse than Durham.

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4everacatfan · Post by **4everacatfan** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:36 am

I too believe that this is a very serious situation no matter what Huse does he will be questioned. However in the tre Johnson situation he has been a problem since he arrived on Campus. Last year's suspension was the culmination of his lack of respect for teammates and coaches. He has had more "run ins" with coaching staff and fights with teammates then any other player in recent history. On the other hand this is the first I have heard of any infractions by Budnich is that right? Granted this is a big infraction but as we have seen with other programs we do give second chances to those who have no previous infractions. To call this a race issue is very irresponsible and unfair. Does coach Huse hate Tre? Based on all the chances he has given him I would say the opposite is true that Huse has jeopardized the respect of other players on his team with all that he has put up with from Tre. I wish Tre well hopefully he can now learn that there is a breaking point and he is dealing with those consequences and Jeff you have your second chance I hope you take advantage of it and prove to all of us watching that you deserve this second chance that you have been given.

duelalumnicat · Post by **duelalumnicat** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:35 am

4everacatfan wrote:I too believe that this is a very serious situation no matter what Huse does he will be questioned. However in the tre Johnson situation he has been a problem since he arrived on Campus. Last year's suspension was the culmination of his lack of respect for teammates and coaches. He has had more "run ins" with coaching staff and fights with teammates then any other player in recent history. On the other hand this is the first I have heard of any infractions by Budnich is that right? Granted this is a big infraction but as we have seen with other programs we do give second chances to those who have no previous infractions. To call this a race issue is very irresponsible and unfair. Does coach Huse hate Tre? Based on all the chances he has given him I would say the opposite is true that Huse has jeopardized the respect of other players on his team with all that he has put up with from Tre. I wish Tre well hopefully he can now learn that there is a breaking point and he is dealing with those consequences and Jeff you have your second chance I hope you take advantage of it and prove to all of us watching that you deserve this second chance that you have been given.

I agree with this post. I say that even though I like Tre and think that he was Huse's best player, or at least had the most potential. It is unfortunate that even though it is only August 5th, I already have this sinking feeling that the Cats are not going to be very good this year.

ohsoyouknowthtruth · Post by **ohsoyouknowthtruth** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:36 am

4everacatfan wrote:I too believe that this is a very serious situation no matter what Huse does he will be questioned. However in the tre Johnson situation he has been a problem since he arrived on Campus. Last year's suspension was the culmination of his lack of respect for teammates and coaches. He has had more "run ins" with coaching staff and fights with teammates then any other player in recent history. On the other hand this is the first I have heard of any infractions by Budnich is that right? Granted this is a big infraction but as we have seen with other programs we do give second chances to those who have no previous infractions. To call this a race issue is very irresponsible and unfair. Does coach Huse hate Tre? Based on all the chances he has given him I would say the opposite is true that Huse has jeopardized the respect of other players on his team with all that he has put up with from Tre. I wish Tre well hopefully he can now learn that there is a breaking point and he is dealing with those consequences and Jeff you have your second chance I hope you take advantage of it and prove to all of us watching that you deserve this second chance that you have been given.

I have sat by and read all the post and its fine to each have your own opinion but it is quite clear you know nothing of tre johnson or anything about his time on campus so do not mudsling the atrocious aligations at a young man who has made a very big mistake. There was no culmination of anything for there were no infractions besides his suspension that warranted any hostility from any one but even now the community still never gets the full story of whats going on on the court or how coach is treating his players. Its has come to light that though huse is trying to say the players need to be ethical he has shown he is very unethical in his decision whether it be hate of tre or the race card that was pulled 2 seperate punishments for one in the same trasgression is unacceptable.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:58 pm

ohsoyouknowthtruth wrote:
4everacatfan wrote:I too believe that this is a very serious situation no matter what Huse does he will be questioned. However in the tre Johnson situation he has been a problem since he arrived on Campus. Last year's suspension was the culmination of his lack of respect for teammates and coaches. He has had more "run ins" with coaching staff and fights with teammates then any other player in recent history. On the other hand this is the first I have heard of any infractions by Budnich is that right? Granted this is a big infraction but as we have seen with other programs we do give second chances to those who have no previous infractions. To call this a race issue is very irresponsible and unfair. Does coach Huse hate Tre? Based on all the chances he has given him I would say the opposite is true that Huse has jeopardized the respect of other players on his team with all that he has put up with from Tre. I wish Tre well hopefully he can now learn that there is a breaking point and he is dealing with those consequences and Jeff you have your second chance I hope you take advantage of it and prove to all of us watching that you deserve this second chance that you have been given.
I have sat by and read all the post and its fine to each have your own opinion but it is quite clear you know nothing of tre johnson or anything about his time on campus so do not mudsling the atrocious aligations at a young man who has made a very big mistake. There was no culmination of anything for there were no infractions besides his suspension that warranted any hostility from any one but even now the community still never gets the full story of whats going on on the court or how coach is treating his players. Its has come to light that though huse is trying to say the players need to be ethical he has shown he is very unethical in his decision whether it be hate of tre or the race card that was pulled 2 seperate punishments for one in the same trasgression is unacceptable.

The problem with this statement is that it seems everyone is arguing that Budnich should be gone also so your defense of Tre doesn't hold much water. As far as acqusations of previous wrong doing; it doesn't matter. What he did the other night trumps anything and everything!

BLACKnBLUEnGOLD · Post by **BLACKnBLUEnGOLD** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:06 pm

4everacatfan wrote:I too believe that this is a very serious situation no matter what Huse does he will be questioned. However in the tre Johnson situation he has been a problem since he arrived on Campus. Last year's suspension was the culmination of his lack of respect for teammates and coaches. He has had more "run ins" with coaching staff and fights with teammates then any other player in recent history. On the other hand this is the first I have heard of any infractions by Budnich is that right? Granted this is a big infraction but as we have seen with other programs we do give second chances to those who have no previous infractions. To call this a race issue is very irresponsible and unfair. Does coach Huse hate Tre? Based on all the chances he has given him I would say the opposite is true that Huse has jeopardized the respect of other players on his team with all that he has put up with from Tre. I wish Tre well hopefully he can now learn that there is a breaking point and he is dealing with those consequences and Jeff you have your second chance I hope you take advantage of it and prove to all of us watching that you deserve this second chance that you have been given.

I can only assume this post was aimed at me, since I frequently post things that cause posts to be aimed at me

For the record, I didn't call it a race issue. I didn't say that it is or it must be. I questioned whether or not it might be, given incomplete information to go on. What I (and most other fans without your supposed inside knowledge) knew:

Johnson is black.
Budnich is white.
Huse has benched Johnson, despite his being the best player, without telling the fans why.
Johnson and Budnich committed and admitted to the same crime. The consequences to Budnich were relatively minor, while the consequences Johnson will suffer are severe, without telling the fans why (cryptic references to previous conduct do not count as a reason).

Now, in my experience as a human being, when other people won't give reasons for their actions, it's either because the reasons are bad (prejudice and desire to take advantage of a situation being the most common I encounter) or entirely personal (based on personally liking or not liking the person or action in question). If people have good logical reasons for doing something, they are typically willing to put words to them.

If Johnson has conflicts with Huse, I'm calling that a personal reason. They don't like each other. I have a hard time blaming a good player for not getting along with a ****** coach. If that's the reason, then I nailed it with my Huse doesn't like Johnson theory.

If Johnson has somehow been a bad teammate, this is the first I've heard of it. If that's the reason, my thoughts on the matter hinge on exactly what he's done to be a bad teammate.

All of this, of course, just goes to address reasons why Johnson and Budnich weren't punished equally. The question of the correct equal punishment is separate but related -- why such leniency for Budnich?

mr leslie · Post by **mr leslie** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:33 am

Maybe Budinich received the more severe punishment. He has to stay on the team and play for Huse. Just saying....

scottlanz · Post by **scottlanz** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:05 pm

mr leslie wrote:Maybe Budinich received the more severe punishment. He has to stay on the team and play for Huse. Just saying....

That's funny. (And probably more severe.)

allcat · Post by **allcat** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:15 pm

My initial reaction is to kick both of them out. I don't know the details and do think that Fields would not let this kid stay if they did not think of it as a kids prank. I don't see breaking into cars and stealing things as a kids prank.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 2:39 pm

Huse did say they reduced Budinich's scholarship money. However, anyone that blatantly breaks into a vehicle, gets caught with stolen goods and admits to the offense should be off the team and not be getting ANY scholarship money. From a donor standpoint, it is not a good move to give valuable scholarship money to someone who violates the community.