Richardson’s Son Suspended

Tennessee State has suspended Coach Nolan Richardson III indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of university policy.

Richardson, the son of former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, was suspended Friday and did not travel with the team to Ohio State for Saturday’s game.

The suspension, first reported by Nashville television stations and the Tennessean newspaper, was confirmed by the university in a statement Saturday.

Assistant Hosea Lewis filled in as coach for the Tigers.

The NCAA is investigating the program for rules violations under Richardson. The inquiry involves allegations of impermissible practice out of season, providing extra benefits to recruits and unethical conduct by a coach.

Richardson is 23-41 since he was hired at Tennessee State in April 2000. He played two seasons at Oklahoma State and was an assistant under his father at Arkansas from 1991 to 2000.

Ohio State defeated Tennessee State, 94-73.

*

Luis Flores joined an exclusive club Saturday.

The junior guard had 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead Manhattan to a 68-63 victory over Iona in the championship game of the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden and was selected MVP of the tournament for the second consecutive year.

Only Jimmy Walker of Providence in 1965 and 1966 and Norman Richardson of Hofstra in 1998 and 1999 won the award in consecutive years.

The only other players to win it more than once are Tom Gola of La Salle (1952 and 1954), David Russell of St. John’s (1979 and 1982) and Chris Mullin of St. John’s (1981 and 1984).