Arizona’s Simon Ruled Ineligible

Arizona guard Miles Simon is ineligible for the remainder of the fall semester and will sit out the next five games.

Simon had been ruled ineligible under NCAA progress standards, but appealed for a grade change in a course he took during the spring semester. The school’s General Petitions Committee, consisting of faculty members, rejected the appeal Wednesday.

“We’re obviously disappointed that he’s not playing, but there is nothing we can do about it,” Arizona coach Lute Olson said.

Athletic director Jim Livengood said the junior guard cannot be cleared to play until he completes his final exams and his grades are posted after the fall semester. Classes end Dec. 9, and final exams are Dec. 11-18.

“It is probable that Miles will be eligible to play in the Dec. 21 game at Michigan,” Livengood said.

Among the various NCAA guidelines Simon had to meet is a rule that would require him to post a 1.80 cumulative grade-point average this fall. In addition, he is required to have 25% of his major requirements completed by his junior year.

Simon cannot travel with the team, but is allowed to practice. He traveled last week to Springfield, Mass., to watch the Wildcats beat North Carolina in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic using a plane ticket provided by his father.

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Senior guard Joe Wyatt, the leading scorer on last season’s Boise State basketball team, has been suspended for three games for breaking team rules.

Wyatt will sit out the Pepperdine home game on Saturday and road games Monday at Idaho State and Dec. 7. at Weber State.

The school announced the suspension in a news release Thanksgiving Day. Boise State Coach Rod Jensen and Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier had no comment.