Creighton's McDermott returns from suspension for racially insensitive remark

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott will return from his suspension for the Big East Tournament, athletic director Bruce Rasmussen announced Monday.

The team suspended McDermott for using the word "plantation" as part of an analogy during a postgame address with Creighton players following a Feb. 27 defeat against Xavier.

He missed last Saturday's regular-season finale against Butler as a result of the suspension.

Rasmussen said he and school president Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson consulted with players, staff, parents, former players, and future recruits when deciding McDermott's future with the team.

"Through his immediate apology, ownership of actions, difficult dialogue with his team, and more, coach McDermott has demonstrated a commitment to grow," the statement read.

Five Creighton players expressed in a short video on Saturday how McDermott's remarks hurt them.

"I believe his apology, his commitment to grow from this, to learn, and to regain the trust of his student-athletes and others impacted by his words," Rasmussen added.

No. 17 Creighton is the second seed in the Big East Tournament, earning a first-round bye before facing the winner of Butler and Xavier on March 11 at Madison Square Garden.