Eric Dixon suspended for one game due to Portsmouth event
- Eric Dixon, a fifth-year senior at Villanova, will miss the season opener due to a one-game NCAA suspension.
- The suspension is a result of his impermissible participation in the Portsmouth Invitational, a tournament for college seniors.
- Dixon's absence will impact the Wildcats as he was their leading scorer and rebounder last season.
In Villanova, Pennsylvania, Eric Dixon, a fifth-year senior and the leading scorer and rebounder for the Villanova Wildcats, has been handed a one-game suspension by the NCAA. This suspension stems from his participation in the Portsmouth Invitational, a tournament typically reserved for college seniors, which he attended in April while exploring the possibility of entering professional basketball. After deciding to return for an additional year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Dixon faced disciplinary action for his earlier involvement in the tournament. As a result, he will miss the Wildcats' season opener against Lafayette on November 4. Dixon, who is set to turn 24 in January, has been a significant player for Villanova, averaging 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and has received second-team All-Big East honors for the past two seasons. This suspension highlights the NCAA's strict regulations regarding player participation in events outside of their college commitments, particularly when it comes to maintaining eligibility for collegiate play.