Posted Nov. 11, 2015 at 7:43 PM
STOCKTON — The Pacific men’s basketball team isn’t certain if its full roster will be available for its season opener on Friday at Arizona.
On Wednesday, the status of seniors Sami Eleraky, Eric Thompson and Alec Kobre had not been decided by the university as it continues a joint investigation with the NCAA regarding allegations of academic misconduct within Pacific Athletics.
All three players were withheld from last Saturday’s exhibition game against Carroll College, a decision made by the university.
The three players practiced with the squad this week.
Today, the Tigers leave for Tucson, Arizona, and will take on the No. 12 Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. Friday at McKale Center.
“I haven’t heard one word,” Pacific coach Ron Verlin said prior to practice Wednesday. “It’s a very important matter. We follow NCAA rules, we trust NCAA rules and trust the university. I’ve been here two-plus decades and we’ll see what happens.
“The way I understand it, I believe it’s an ongoing investigation. To me, it’s kind of day-to-day.”
Verlin, who was as an assistant at Pacific for 19 seasons under Bob Thomason and is in his third season as the head coach, said he is preparing his team as if all three will be available, the same tact he took prior to last week’s exhibition game, which Pacific won, 79-72.
“When you’re in different times, you have to coach your team and that’s what I have to do really well,” Verlin said. “Gene Hackman said (in the movie “Hoosiers”), that’s my team on the floor. Those are my guys. That’s what I’m coaching. That’s what I’ll do this week. If they play, I’d love that. If they don’t play, I’m going to respect what the school does.”
On Nov. 5, Pacific announced it would withhold the three players from competition indefinitely as it continued a joint investigation with the NCAA, which was launched on Oct. 8, when Pacific reported information related to alleged academic misconduct within the athletics department.
If the NCAA finds cause, it will send a notice of allegations to the university, which will have the opportunity to respond. If the NCAA is not satisfied with the response, the matter will go before the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
Tigers junior guard T.J. Wallace said the players are looking forward to starting the season.
“There’s going to be some adversity and whenever there’s adversity it’s always a good time to accept a new challenge and a bunch of guys to step up,” Wallace said. “Just handling adversity and trying to turn adversity into success is something we look forward to.”