THE SIDELINES : NCAA to View Illinois Recruiting
The University of Illinois basketball program is bracing for a full NCAA investigation into its recruiting practices, officials say.
“We believe the NCAA has sufficient information to warrant an official inquiry,” Illinois Athletic Director John Mackovic said Wednesday. Mackovic said the school has not yet received a letter of official inquiry from the NCAA, “but we’re preparing for it.”
The Chicago Tribune reported in today’s editions that the letter is expected to arrive at the university next week.
The letter is to include specifics from a preliminary investigation and detail alleged violations.
Mackovic said a preliminary university investigation found there were “serious matters that are unresolved.”
Mackovic also said that freshman center Deon Thomas--a focus of the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations--will not play this season.
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