SIU men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson announced Wednesday starting center Bola Olaniyan is suspended indefinitely. 

Olaniyan did not travel with the team for its Friday and Saturday games in Corpus Christi, Texas, for the Corpus Christi Coastal Challenge. 

Before his suspension, the Salukis were 5-0, their best start since 2003. Olaniyan is averaging 8.4 rebounds and 7.4 points a game. 

SIU split the games without Olaniyan. The team lost 71-66 Friday against University of Texas at El Paso and beat Portland 80-79 Saturday to close out the challenge. Senior center Ibby Djimde averaged 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds a game in his second and third career starts. 

The Salukis (6-1) continue their season at 7 p.m. Wednesday at SIU Arena against Southeast Missouri State (0-5). 

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3333