Mims Suspended Indefinitely

Southern Mississippi forward Elvin Mims, the Golden Eagles’ leading scorer, was suspended indefinitely from the team Saturday.

Southern Miss Coach James Green announced the punishment before the Golden Eagles’ Conference USA opener against Memphis. Green didn’t say why Mims was suspended.

Mims is averaging 18.1 points for the Golden Eagles (5-5), who have only one other player averaging double figures.

“We obviously will miss Elvin,” Green said. “But our rules apply to everyone, and our players all know that. At this point, I’m not sure what Elvin’s situation is. Whether or not he returns, and when, depends on Elvin.”

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Missouri center Uche Okafor’s appeal of his suspension for signing with a Russian semipro team will be heard by an NCAA reinstatement committee Tuesday.

“I’m never optimistic,” Missouri Coach Quin Snyder said. “People are calling down to try to figure out how long he’s been hurt and that tells me they’re after him. That’s bothersome to me.”

The 6-foot-11 Okafor has been recuperating from October knee surgery.