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Stony Brook suspends Erik Pratt for 1 game after he allegedly spit toward fan

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Stony Brook men’s basketball star Erik Pratt was suspended by the school for spitting on a fan during the team’s 82-69 loss to Monmouth Thursday.

Pratt was being heckled by fans with 2:30 left in the game with Stony Brook down 79-63. Instead of ignoring the fans, Pratt turned and spit at them and walked away.

“In light of his actions in last night’s game at Monmouth, I have made the decision in consultation with the CAA to suspend Erik Pratt for Saturday’s game at Hofstra,” Stony Brook director of athletics Shawn Heilbron said in a statement.

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Erik Pratt dribbles

UW-Milwaukee guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, looks to drive to the basket against Northern Kentucky in the second half of a game at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee Feb. 17, 2024. (Dave Kallmann/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)

“I met with Erik earlier, and he acknowledged his mistake while accepting full responsibility for his actions. While emotions were high in the moment, he understands that his behavior was inappropriate and did not meet the standards we expect of our student-athletes nor those set forth by our department, institution and the CAA. Erik has expressed his commitment to learning from this experience and moving forward in a positive manner.”

At the time of his ejection, Pratt led the team with 14 points and had eight assists. Pratt is Stony Brook’s leading scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game, and his absence for the team’s game against Hofstra on Saturday is a big one.

Erik Pratt dribbles

Milwaukee Panthers guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, dribbles during the Horizon League championship against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis March 12, 2024. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Stony Brook is tied for the No. 5 seed in the CAA tournament, and a loss to Hofstra could drop them in the seedings.

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Pratt played at Milwaukee and Texas A&M before joining Stony Brook. 

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Erik Pratt dribbles

Texas A&M Aggies guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, leads a fast break against the Georgia Bulldogs at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas, Feb. 4, 2023. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pratt is not the only athlete to be embroiled in a spitting controversy over the last year. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the first game of the 2025 NFL season.

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3 things to look forward to in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and West Indies ft. Varun Chakaravarthy

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India are all set to face off against the West Indies in their final match of the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The encounter will be contested at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1.

The stakes are high, with both teams eyeing a spot in the final four. The match promises to be a spectacle, with plenty of individual battles and strategic face-offs to focus on.

India’s squad for the T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar.

West Indies’ squad for the T20 World Cup: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Johnson Charles, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson.

On that note, here are three things to look forward to in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the West Indies.


#3 India’s new-look top three will be in focus once again

Net Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: GettyNet Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: Getty
Net Sessions – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 – Source: Getty

India have moved towards a fresh top order at the business end of the T20 World Cup – Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. How this relatively new combination fares against a quality West Indies bowling attack will be interesting to see.

The visitors could opt to bring in Akeal Hosein for Matthew Forde. Known for his powerplay bowling, Akeal could ask some serious questions of Samson. If the Windies can break the shaky Indian opening partnership, the stage could be set for Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase through the middle overs.

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#2 Varun Chakaravarthy can be backed to find his best form

Cricket: Australia v India - 2nd T20I - Source: GettyCricket: Australia v India - 2nd T20I - Source: Getty
Cricket: Australia v India – 2nd T20I – Source: Getty

Varun Chakaravarthy will be the key cog in India’s bowling attack, and the Kolkata venue might just be what he needs to rediscover his mojo. He’s been a bit inconsistent lately, despite a fair amount of wickets in the tournament.

Varun’s form will be important for India, especially in the middle overs. If he can find his rhythm and bowl with control, he could stifle the West Indies’ scoring rate. The visitors have many players who are susceptible against wrist-spin, making the ace spinner crucial.

India will be hoping that Varun can turn things around. Can he bamboozle the West Indies batsmen and help his team gain the upper hand?


#1 Can India avoid an embarrassing exit from the T20 World Cup?

Net Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: GettyNet Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: Getty
Net Sessions – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 – Source: Getty

The Men in Blue will be under pressure to perform, given that a defeat would mean the end of their title defense. India have a strong team on paper, but they’ll need to execute their plans effectively on the field.

The Windies are the obvious underdogs, but the danger they possess is clear. With the pitch expected to be dry, their spinners could even the scales to a great extent. India haven’t been anywhere near their best either.

Avoiding an early exit from the T20 World Cup will be paramount for India. Can they rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance against a determined West Indies side?

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