Bibby: Arizona Player Got Off Easy

Arizona forward Michael Wright, who elbowed USC forward Abdullah Elmagbari twice in the face during the second half of Saturday’s game, was given a public reprimand Tuesday and put on probation for the rest of the season by Pacific 10 Commissioner Tom Hansen.

No fouls were called, but Pac-10 officials reviewed game film before announcing a decision.

“Any blow to the head in athletic competition is a serious matter, and when it is struck away from the ball, when a competitor has no reason to expect contact, it has a high chance of causing injury,” Hansen said in a statement. “Any subsequent incidents of this nature by Mr. Wright during the remainder of the season will result in a substantial penalty.”

USC Coach Henry Bibby said Wright should have been suspended.

“It’s no action at all that was taken by the Pac-10,” Bibby said. “It’s a slap on the wrist. The kid should have been tossed out of the game that night. You can’t elbow a guy blatantly in a game, and not one [of the three] officials sees it, and nothing is done by the Pac-10. It’s ridiculous.

“I talked to Booker Turner [supervisor of officials] about it, and he had no good explanation, other than the officials didn’t see it. Obviously they’re not doing their job if you can’t see that action.”

Elmagbari, who did not retaliate, said the first time Wright struck him “he just kind of smirked. And the second time it was a good thing a camera caught it. But after the game he came up and told me it was the heat of the battle. I shook hands and told him I don’t hold grudges.”

Arizona Coach Lute Olson called Wright’s action indefensible.

“I completely agree with [Hansen’s decision],” he said. “It was not part of play and it is definitely not something we condone. It was a cheap shot.”

On Tuesday Wright publicly expressed regret for the incident.

“I told him after the game I was sorry, that I’m not that kind of player,” he said. “I was frustrated out there and threw the elbow in the heat of the moment. I’m embarrassed, very sorry and I apologized for throwing it.”

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