Jamar Smith’s name is recognizable campus-wide, but not just because he’s a shooting guard. Last week Bruce Weber announced that Smith would not play in the upcoming basketball season, due to the charge for felony of aggravated DUI and leaving his friend at the scene last February.

This suspension is pretty light, given that it could have resulted in expulsion from the university. He will be eligible to play in the 2008-2009 season if he completes his community service and a substance abuse program. A possible replacement, Quinton Watkins, a freshmen recruit who plays Jamar’s position, recently went back home to Cali to fulfill academic requirements.

What a dummy -- the Illini will be better off without him.