Smart Receives Three-Game Suspension

The Big 12 Conference announced that Oklahoma State sophomore Marcus Smart has been suspended for three games in response to shoving a Texas Tech fan in Lubbock on Saturday night.

Smart responded physically to a reported racial slur in the final seconds of the No. 19 Cowboys' 65-61 loss to the Red Raiders.

In addition to the three-game suspension, Ford said further punishment would be handled internally.

The games Smart is assured to miss will be at No. 15 Texas, vs. No. 21 Oklahoma and at Baylor.

Smart started off Oklahoma State's press conference by saying, "I want to apologize to the fan, whose name is Jeff Orr, I want to apologize to him, my teammates, my coach. This is not how I condone msyelf. I just can't let that happen again. It's a lesson I'll have to learn from; it's all on me. I truly apologize to all those that are important to me. I feel I let my teammates down."

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby released this statement from the league office:

"Mr. Smart's actions were a clear violation of the Big 12 Conference's Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Policy. Such behavior has no place in athletics, and will not be tolerated.  I appreciate the efforts of Oklahoma State University athletics director Mike Holder in addressing this matter, and believe this is an appropriate response to an inappropriate action."

Texas Tech has also completed its own independent review of the situation involving Red Raider fan Jeff Orr.

Orr has vehemently denied the accusation that he used a racial slur and no one in the vicinity of Orr heard such a slur. He has admitted to directing an inappropriate phrase toward Marcus Smart.

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech Men's Basketball program," Orr said in a press release.  "My actions last night were inappropriate and do not reflect myself or Texas Tech - a university I love dearly. I regret calling Mr. Smart a 'piece of crap' but I want to make it known that I did not use a racial slur of any kind. Additionally, I would like to offer my apologies to Texas Tech fans that have been embarrassed by the attention this incident has created."

Orr has voluntarily agreed not to attend any more Texas Tech basketball games this season.

Oddly enough, Smart's first game back from suspension will be against the Red Raiders in Stillwater on Feb. 22.

This story will be updated