Herb Sendek already faces the toughest, most trying and surely to be the most second-guessed decision of the basketball season. A quick, knee-jerk reaction would be to kick the senior off the team. Thornton has pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and other charges, it's his third conviction since coming to State, and some would say that should be it. But Sendek doesn't make knee-jerk decisions. He is a very deliberate, thoughtful and thorough man, whether in preparing for games, recruiting or dealing with players gone wayward.
All coaches talk about having compassion for their players.
With some, it's lip service but not with Sendek. As the years have passed, he said recently, he has found the relationships with his players transcend the wins and losses. Let's not be naive. Sendek is fully aware of Thornton's value to the team, of the rebounds, defensive intensity and experience the physical forward provides. But Sendek says his interest is in a young man who also is just a few credits short of graduating, a player who has doggedly fought through injuries.