Louisiana State to Shield Star Players

No. 10-ranked Louisiana State, taking no chances after Auburn’s standout player, Chris Porter, lost his eligibility for taking $2,500 from an agent’s middleman, has a couple of undercover police officers tailing its standout players at the Southeastern Conference tournament in Atlanta. Louisiana State Coach John Brady called it a “pro-active approach” to prevent any violation of NCAA rules that might cost players Stromile Swift and Jabari Smith their eligibility.

Brady said he got the idea for extra security about a month ago after hearing on a conference call that Georgia Coach Jim Harrick, formerly at UCLA and Pepperdine, once employed an officer to watch over his players on the road. . . . . . . Seventeen current and former Minnesota men’s players and four faculty members face possible discipline for their involvement in the cheating scandal from 1993-1998 after the results of a university investigation were announced Thursday. The players could be required to make up work, or lose a grade and the credits that go with it, which could affect graduation. For faculty, penalties would range from a letter of reprimand to a close monitoring of work. The report found “routine writing of assignments, papers and exams” for at least 18 players and “repeated manipulation of the university’s academic policies and procedures” to keep students eligible to compete. The NCAA is expected to rule this spring on further sanctions. . . . The Atlantic 10, which had been considering expansion, will not add another school, conference commissioner Linda Bruno said. Virginia Tech is leaving the 12-team Atlantic 10 next season for the Big East in basketball. Richmond of the Colonial Athletic Assn. was considered an expansion candidate.