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The University of Arkansas suspended five players yesterday, including three athletes identified in a rape complaint that did not result in charges, for violating unspecified team rules.
Coach John Pelphrey said guards Courtney Fortson, the top returning scorer, and starter Stefan Welsh were suspended indefinitely. Guard Marcus Britt was suspended for six games, forward Glenn Bryant two games, and walk-on guard Nick Mason will not dress for games during the fall semester.
The school did not provide specific reasons for the suspensions, which will keep all players out of Friday night's season opener against Alcorn State.
An 18-year-old freshman accused three players of raping her Aug. 27 at a fraternity house party. The police report identified the players as Britt, Bryant and Mason. The prosecutor in the case, John Threet, said there was insufficient evidence to file charges, but the case is now before a special prosecutor at the request of the woman and her attorney.
The woman's attorney, John Bass, has suggested there was a conflict of interest because Threet is the son-in-law of former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and the brother-in-law of an athletic department spokesman.
Athletic department spokesman Phil Pierce said the incident at the fraternity house was not the sole cause of yesterday's discipline.
Noteworthy
* Charlotte forward An'Juan Wilderness will miss 2 to 4 weeks with a strained left calf, while freshman guard Gokhan Sirin will serve a one-game suspension in Friday's season opener for participating with a pro club team. Starting point guard DiJuan Harris' status is uncertain because of a sprained right ankle suffered in practice last week.
* Seton Hall player Keon Lawrence was suspended indefinitely from the team after police charged he was under the influence when he drove the wrong way on the Garden State Parkway and collided with another car.
* The NCAA said the oldest son of Michael Jordan will miss the first two games of the season for No. 23 Illinois after playing in an unsanctioned three-on-three event last summer. Jeff Jordan wasn't on the team at the time but changed his mind and returned in October. *
