Missouri reserve forward suspended after domestic violence arrest

~ Butterfield won't practice until athletics conducts investigation

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri basketball player Darryl Butterfield has been suspended from the team following his arrest for allegedly punching an ex-girlfriend during a domestic dispute.

The arrest marks the second for a Missouri basketball player in the past four months and the third since February.

Butterfield, a 22-year-old senior reserve forward, was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault, a misdemeanor. He was released from the Boone County jail early Thursday after posting a $1,650 bond.

A team spokesman said that Butterfield won't practice or play while coach Mike Anderson and athletic officials "continue to gather information on this incident." Missouri began practice last week and opens the season Nov. 12 at home against Fordham.

According to Columbia police, a 20-year-old woman reported that Butterfield had punched her near the mouth after an argument at her apartment. He left the scene after police arrived but then agreed to meet officers at a downtown coffee shop.

Butterfield was also arrested for two outstanding warrants from Iron County, one each for driving with a revoked license and failure to obey a police officer.

Butterfield played one season at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., before coming to Columbia in 2006. The town is in St. Francois County, which borders Iron County.

Butterfield's arrest is the latest in a series of brushes with the law for the Tigers under Anderson, who is entering his second year as the team's coach.

In early July, senior forward Kalen Grimes was arrested for his role in a fight in north St. Louis County. Anderson suspended and later dismissed Grimes from the team after the player was charged with felony assault.

Two days before Grimes' arrest, forward DeMarre Carroll -- Anderson's nephew -- suffered a gunshot wound to his ankle after he was involved in a fight outside a downtown nightclub. Police and team officials said Carroll, who has recovered from the wound, was an innocent bystander.

And in February, reserve guard Michael Anderson Jr., the coach's son, was suspended after a DUI arrest. He has since been reinstated to the team.