Suspended player Tyshawn Taylor stands to applaud his teammates during the second half against Oklahoma State on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced Monday morning that he had suspended junior guard Tyshawn Taylor indefinitely for violating team rules.

“Although we are disappointed in Tyshawn, he will remain a member of our team and practice with our team until he is reinstated for competition,” Self said.

Taylor has started 26 of 27 games for KU this season, averaging 8.8 points per game. The Hoboken, N.J., native ranks third in the Big 12 with 4.7 assists per game.

On Monday, he missed the first game of his three-year KU career. As to whether he’ll miss more …

“I said ‘indefinitely.’ That’s what it is,” Self said of the suspension. “He is going to have to do some things. I like Tyshawn. I like him. Everybody on our team does, but he put himself above everybody else here of late so I don’t know how long it’ll be.”

Self was asked if Taylor’s suspension had anything to do with KU women’s player Marisha Brown also being suspended indefinitely Monday.

“I don’t know. I have my own issues. I don’t check to see what is going on with the women’s program,” Self said.

Taylor, of course, has been in hot water with the program before, but not in a while.

In January of his sophomore season, Self ordered Taylor to close his Facebook account. He’d written that he was considering a transfer from KU. He also posted comments after getting in a fight with KU football players early first semester last school year. He suffered a hand injury in that altercation.

Asked if he was disappointed, Self said: “It’s not anything personal, but, yeah, I’m disappointed. He (Taylor) is disappointed, too. I like him. I think that’s been evident over time. It’s time for somebody else to step up. Unfortunately, it’s this late (in season). We’ll need him when he gets back.”

KU has had three players suspended by Self this season.

Elijah Johnson was suspended two games for disciplinary reasons and Mario Little six games after an arrest in a domestic-disturbance case facing misdemeanor battery charges.

Also, Josh Selby was suspended nine games by the NCAA for accepting improper benefits in high school. In addition, Marcus Morris was ejected from the Cal game for a flagrant foul. Markieff Morris had intentional fouls in a pair of games this season.

ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb questioned the character of KU’s team on Monday.

USA Today quoted Gottlieb as saying: “I think they have some character issues on this team. … That’s probably the only thing that can derail them. Immensely talented team but those character issues … this can be devastating news especially considering the amount of time and effort they put into Tyshawn Taylor.”

Asked if he wanted to respond to Gottlieb, Self said: “What did he say?”

When told Gottlieb said KU had questionable character that could cost the team, Self said: “I just had to suspend a guy today. I would agree with him. I’m not going to say anything else about that.”

Robinson returns

Thomas Robinson, who had surgery just 10 days ago to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, had six points and six boards in 10 minutes.

“Did I look rusty?” Robinson said with a big smile. “It felt great. I’ve only been out about a week and a half, but sitting out that long, for me, was annoying. I couldn’t wait to get out on the court, so it was a great feeling”

Self said the doctors told him he should only go 10 minutes.

“That’s an amazing dude,” Self said. “Thomas just had surgery 10 days ago. He may have been our best player in practice yesterday. He didn’t have explosion, but was poised. He made easy plays.”