South Orange, NJ -- (Sports Network) - Seton Hall has suspended men's basketball head coach Bobby Gonzalez for the first Big East game of the 2008-09 season for criticizing officials after the Pirates' loss to Rutgers in the regular-season finale.

"Bobby Gonzalez's criticism of Big East officials following the Seton Hall- Rutgers game on March 9 is unacceptable and is not representative of Seton Hall University athletics," said director of athletics Joe Quinlan. "The Big East provides the best roster of game officials for our students in the country. They represent the game and the conference with great integrity and dignity. We regret any embarrassment this episode may have brought to the Big East and our fellow institutions."

The Scarlet Knights edged Seton Hall, 64-61, on March 9 on a last-second three-pointer by J.R. Inman.

Seton Hall finished 17-15 in his second season at the helm, after a 13-16 mark last season. The Pirates lost in the first round of the Big East tournament to Marquette.

Seton Hall was invited to play in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational Tournament, but the school declined.