Barkley Ruled Ineligible for Three Games

St. John’s sophomore guard Erick Barkley was ruled ineligible for three games by the NCAA for a rules violation. The school is appealing and expects a decision by Friday.

Barkley, who has already sat two games, also will be sidelined for Saturday’s home game against Villanova. The next game he will be eligible for is Tuesday at Boston College.

The violation was reportedly exchanging ownership of cars with a family friend.

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Kansas forward Lester Earl pleaded innocent in Douglas County District Court to a drunken driving charge. Earl, indefinitely suspended by Jayhawk Coach Roy Williams, could be placed in a diversion program in which he might not have to go to trial over the Jan. 23 incident. . . . Freshmen guard Tony Robertson and swingman Doug Wrenn were reinstated at Connecticut but remain under investigation in a possible scam at a clothing store. They were suspended last week. . . . Utah forward Hanno Mottola is sidelined indefinitely and could miss the rest of the season because of sprains to his left elbow and right thumb, the school said.