NC State's smith suspended for comments

Published Dec. 22, 2009 7:03 a.m. ET

foxsports

North Carolina State says leading scorer Tracy Smith has been suspended for one game for his comments on the officiating in the Wolfpack's loss to Wake Forest.

Coach Sidney Lowe said Monday that the junior forward will practice and will travel to Arizona for Wednesday's game, but won't play.

After Sunday night's 67-59 loss in Winston-Salem, Smith told reporters that the officiating crew called too many ``touch fouls'' and ``favored Wake Forest all the way.''

In a statement issued by the school the next day, Smith apologized and said he ``was caught up in the heat of the moment.''

Smith, who averages nearly 18 points, had 11 points and 10 rebounds but was in foul trouble most of the night, fouling out with 5:28 remaining.