Auburn Reprimands Assistant, Players In Basketball Scandal

Auburn declared two basketball players ineligible Wednesday and suspended assistant coach Robbie Laing amid questions about possible NCAA rules violations.

Chris Davis and Moochie Norris were dropped from the team after athletic director David Housel said Laing admitted crossing the line with regard to improper benefits including transportation, housing and tutorial services.

The possible violations were discovered while the school probed questions about junior college credits the players obtained while gaining eligibility.

Davis and Norris, both seniors, were held out of the first eight games this season while Auburn investigated. The school has not decided when or if it might apply for their reinstatement, according to a news release.

The NCAA is currently probing dozens of junior college transfers - including Eastern Washington University center Melvin Lewis - who may have received dubious credits, in some cases passing up to 40 hours in a single summer session after having trouble graduating from high school.

Norris, a point guard, averaged 13 points and five assists last season. Davis, a forward, scored 12 points per game. Both were instrumental in Auburn’s surprising 16-13 season under coach Cliff Ellis.

Arizona State guard Lenny Holly likely will miss the next two games because of recurring epileptic-type seizures, according to coach Bill Frieder.