NIU forward Tim Toler was nowhere to be found at the Convocation Center during NIU’s 75-65 loss to Ball State Saturday.

During the post-game press conference, NIU coach Mark Montgomery announced Toler had been suspended indefinitely for breaking team policy.

“He was suspended a couple of days ago and we’ve practiced a couple of days without Tim,” Montgomery said.

It was third game in Toler’s career at NIU in which the forward did not play.

Montgomery didn’t go in to details about what the senior had done and did not specify when Toler would return to the team.

“We’re going to sit and discuss it as a staff tomorrow, but right now he is still suspended,” Montgomery said.

Toler is the Huskies second leading scorer behind Abdel Nader, averaging 10.8 points and four rebounds per game.

One of the few players remaining from a turbulent Ricardo Patton era, Toler has provided the Huskies’ youthful roster with savvy leadership and has been a recognizable face amid a sea of changes.

Montgomery said it’s tough to replace a starter who sees a significant amount of minutes each game, but the team will adjust.

“I’m trying to build a program here and one player is not going to determine our success,” Montgomery said.

The Huskies do have other options available at the four spot. Freshmen Keith and Kevin Gray, Jeremiah Jackson and Brandon Hayes, sophomore Aksel Bolin and senior Tyler Storm can also play forward.