Seton Hall's Lawrence Facing DWI, Suspended Indefinitely

The only good news in this story is that somehow Seton Hall's Keon Lawrence did not kill anyone. This, despite causing a two-car accident while driving the wrong way in the express lanes of the Garden State Parkway.

Lawrence's blood-alcohol level was over the .08 limit -- the exact level not known -- and was charged with driving while intoxicated. Not only that, but Lawrence was driving with a suspended license and had two traffic warrants outstanding. The accident occurred after 3AM Monday morning.

Head coach Bobby Gonzalez suspended Lawrence, who was expected to play this season after transferring from Missouri, indefinitely.
Somehow, Lawrence claims to be as ignorant of the DWI charge and anything other than being in an accident.

Reached on his cellphone late Monday, he acknowledged that he had been in an accident early Monday, but denied that he had been charged with driving while intoxicated.

"They didn't tell me that, and they didn't tell my mother that, either," he said. "I was in an accident. That's about it."

Lawrence transferred from Missouri and sat out last season. He has been seen as a talented player, but with character issues that caused a conflict in Missouri. This action, along with the suspended license only gives credence to the character perception.

Seton Hall was widely believed to be a potential "dark horse" team in the Big East. They had added some depth and talent with transfers like Lawrence and Herb Pope from New Mexico State. The question was whether the character issues with both and some of the other players would sabotage this team. The early returns indicate that the team are not looking favorable for the talent trumping character.