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Head coach Frank Martin has been suspended for the season finale against Mississippi State on Saturday due to an altercation with Duane Notice in Tuesday night's 72-46 loss to the Florida Gators.
The university issued the following press release on Thursday afternoon:
University of South Carolina head men's basketball coach Frank Martin has been suspended from his coaching duties for Saturday's game at Mississippi State, Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced today. Martin will not accompany the team to Starkville.
"The one-game suspension is a result of inappropriate verbal communication as it relates to the well-being of our student-athletes," said Tanner.
Associate head coach Matt Figger will serve as acting head coach when the Gamecocks (11-19, 4-13 SEC) take on the Bulldogs (13-17, 3-14 SEC) in the final regular season game of the year. Game time is set for 4 p.m. ET.
The game represents the first time Matt Figger will act as head coach in college basketball. He was promoted to associate head coach in the offseason when Brad Underwood departed for the head job at Stephen F. Austin.