Once again Northeastern is bowing to media scrutiny.

Tuesday, after the men’s basketball team had already flown to Memphis, Tenn. for their National Invitation Tournament matchup against the University of Memphis, Athletic Director Dave O’Brien informed Husky head coach Ron Everhart the university was suspending star point guard Jose Juan Barea. Barea was suspended for using “unnecessarily rough play,” during a loose-ball situation in Saturday’s America East Championship game.

If you caught the game on Saturday or watched ESPN at all the past few days, you’re probably familiar with the play.

Less than one minute into the game, cameras captured Barea struggling to get the ball away from University of Vermont forward Martin Klimes. ESPN cameras appeared to have caught Barea punching Klimes while fighting for possession of the ball.

Out of context the clip looks bad, but after watching the replay a few times, officials didn’t even call a personal foul on him. But soon ESPN analysts began saying Barea had “sucker-punched” Klimes.

The suspension was decided days after the final buzzer of the Huskies’ 80-57 loss.

It appears Barea is not being suspended for his actions on the court, but rather for the reaction from the media.

This is a disrespectful way to treat a player who has done so much for Northeastern. If the university is embarrassed by Barea, the fourth leading scorer in school history, just imagine how they will feel if the junior guard decides not to return for his senior season. Barea has spilled his blood, sweat and tears on the court for Northeastern and now it would be understandable if he chooses not to return.

At the very least, Barea’s side of the story should have been heard. University officials should have stood behind their player and their coach, who backs Barea 100 percent, instead of folding to media moguls.

Unfortunately, the Athletics Department felt it wasn’t worth hearing. It seems they felt ESPN commentators’ opinions were more important than the parties involved.

The game against the Catamounts was the first time Barea had the chance to showcase his skills on the national stage. It was his opportunity to show the country — and NBA scouts — what he brings to the court. Is it likely that with such high stakes, Barea would put his future in jeopardy less than a minute into the game?

It seems this decision is image-conscious, another case of the university bending over to media criticism. In many instances, the university has complied with the ebb and flow of local newspaper editorials.

Feel our ebb, listen to our flow: Barea was not treated fairly.