When Louisville takes the court Tuesday night against college basketball power CSU-Northridge, Montrezl Harrell will not be on the floor. The ACC suspended Harrell for one game which coincidentally allows him to be back for Saturday’s matchup with No. 1 Kentucky. There’s no doubt this decision had less to do with Harrell’s infraction and more to do with the politics of collegiate athletics.

The issue is not whether Harrell should have been suspended or not, but the length of the suspension. The ACC once again showed little regard for doing the right thing, choosing instead to do the easy thing. James Winston committed numerous infractions that were both detrimental to his university and the conference, but the ACC failed to act because of the repercussions that would have happened if the Seminoles had dropped a game or two.

Harrell’s one-game suspension is not nearly as controversial, but it highlights the ACC’s main agenda. Kentucky is No. 1 and has already embarrassed North Carolina. the ACC does not need a repeat which could hinder their reputation. Louisville is not a one-man team, but Harrell’s importance cannot be overstated. His energy, athleticism and defense are vital to the success of the Cardinals.

The ACC needs to stop pretending we are stupid. There would have been no suspension if Kentucky was the next game. It is time for the ACC and every other conference to give up the facade that they are here to enhance the student-athlete and admit that college athletics is a business.