Louisville suspends Adel, Mathiang vs. Virginia for curfew violation

Louisville will be down two of its biggest players for Monday's massive ACC road game at Virginia, as the school announced Deng Adel and Mangok Mathiang have been suspended for violating curfew on Saturday night.

"After we returned to Louisville (from road game at Boston College), I boarded the team bus and told them how proud I was of them, but the most important thing now is to get their rest as we had an early morning practice and had to travel," head coach Rick Pitino said. "For some reason, Mangok and Deng chose to break curfew and were out very late. The players were fully aware that we had zero tolerance in this area. This is an extremely big game for our basketball team and it would be an understatement to say that I am extremely disappointed in both young men. That being said, we will move forward and put forth a great effort with a depleted team."

The suspension isn't the only form of discipline that the school slapped on Mangok, as the standout center's status as captain has been changed.

"Mangok is no longer a captain of our team," Pitino said. "Donovan Mitchell has now been inserted in that role."

Adel is the Cardinals' third-leading scorer on the season, averaging 11.1 points per game, and is coming off a career-high 19 points against the Eagles on Saturday.

Mangok has been on a tear as of late, averaging 12.7 points and 7.8 rebounds over his last five games, including a season-high 16 points against Boston College.

The suspension means the Cardinals have just seven scholarship players available against the Cavaliers, as Quentin Snider and Tony Hicks will also miss the contest due to injury.