By Max Lederman and Jeff Powalisz

Northeastern star point guard Jose Juan Barea has been suspended from tonight’s NIT game with the University of Memphis, Athletics Director Dave O’Brien announced yesterday.

Northeastern and America East investigated a loose-ball scramble in Saturday’s AE Championship game against the University of Vermont where Barea “used unnecessarily rough play,” according to a report on www.gonu.com.

Huskies coach Ron Everhart was upset with the decision when reached yesterday.

“By suspending [Barea], you’re saying he embarrassed our program,” said Everhart. “I’m 100 percent behind my player. He’s never not stood behind me. I wholeheartedly disagree with this decision.”

Barea, a first-team all-conference selection, ranks ninth in the nation in scoring (22.2) and seventh in assists (7.3). Tonight marks the first-ever appearance by NU in the NIT.

Barea explained the incident when reached yesterday.

“I was just trying to punch the ball loose, ” Barea said. “I talked to [Martin Klimes] after the game and he even said I didn’t hit him. If I wanted to hit him, I would have hit him, but I’ve never done anything like that.”

O’Brien could not be reached for comment.