Ja'Quan Newton Suspended by Miami: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Miami Hurricanes will be without star guard Ja'Quan Newton for three games due a violation of team rules. 

Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, a Miami spokesman confirmed Newton's suspension prior to Saturday's game against Louisville.   

Newton's suspension is a huge blow for the Hurricanes, who are one game behind North Carolina in the ACC standings with three games remaining before the conference tournament begins on Mar. 8. 

Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has done an outstanding job with this team, guiding it to a 22-5 mark overall and No. 12 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25. Newton has been a key part of that success, providing offense off the bench with 10.9 points and 2.5 assists per game. 

ESPN's Dick Vitale has called Newton the best sixth-man in the country this season for his ability to add that spark off the bench (h/t Campus Rush's Lindsay Schnell). 

One small silver lining for the Hurricanes is they have adapted to playing with Newton at less than his best. The sophomore has struggled recently, not breaking double-digits in points since a Feb. 7 win against Georgia Tech. 

Newton previously missed Miami's game against Virginia Tech on Feb. 17 while being treated for an undisclosed illness, so this is not the first time the Hurricanes will have to play without the star. 

It's just unfortunate timing for the team because of everything that is at stake. Newton's suspension not only hurts Miami because of his absence, but it also could create a distraction for the players who are still fighting to win the school's first regular-season conference title since 2013.