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North Carolina star defensive tackle Marvin Austin was kicked off the football team Monday, and the school said the NCAA declared receiver Greg Little and defensive end Robert Quinn permanently ineligible. The announcements came as part of ongoing NCAA investigations into whether players received improper benefits from agents.
Tar Heels coach Butch Davis and athletic director Dick Baddour informed the players of the decisions early Monday. Baddour said the school wouldn't appeal the rulings on Little and Quinn and said the decision to dismiss Austin, who has been suspended for violating team rules since Sept. 1, came after the NCAA provided preliminary information that indicated he had received between $10,000 and $13,000 in improper benefits.
The NCAA ruled Little and Quinn were ineligible because they took jewelry, travel accommodations and other benefits, then lied about it under questioning. According to facts submitted by the university, Little took nearly $5,000 worth of benefits and Quinn more than $5,600.
- Alabama coach Nick Saban said receiver Julio Jones suffered a broken left hand Saturday against South Carolina, and his status for the Crimson Tide's game Saturday against Mississippi is uncertain. Saban also said right tackle D.J. Fluker has a groin injury and will miss at least a week.
- Georgia running back Caleb King was arrested for failing to appear at a court date to address a speeding ticket, the school said. King became the 11th Bulldogs football player to be arrested this year.
- Oregon State flanker James Rodgers will miss the rest of the season with an unspecified injury to his left knee suffered Saturday against Arizona.
- Mississippi State wide receiver Leon Berry will miss the rest of the season because of a dislocated left ankle suffered Saturday against Houston.
- Houston said it will ask the NCAA for a waiver to allow injured quarterback Case Keenum (torn anterior cruciate ligament in right knee) to play a sixth season.
- Northwestern's homecoming game Oct. 23 against Michigan State will start at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
BASKETBALL
TURKEY COURTING IVERSON
Former NBA most valuable player Allen Iverson is in contract talks to play with the Turkish team Besiktas Cola Turka. Gary Moore, Iverson's personal manager, said there is strong interest on both sides to work out a deal that would send the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar overseas.
Iverson, an 11-time NBA All-Star and the 2001 MVP, reportedly had been negotiating with a team in China. Moore said those talks aren't dead, but he indicated Turkey might be Iverson's best option.
TENNIS
DJOKOVIC WINS IN BEIJING
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated eighth-seeded David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4 to defend his China Open title in Beijing.
