Friday, June 24, 2005

Baylor's men's basketball team was banned from playing nonconference games for one season and placed on five years' probation by the NCAA yesterday for numerous rules violations found after a former player murdered a teammate in 2003.

Last week, Carlton Dotson , 23, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in the death of Patrick Dennehy , a killing that led to revelations of wrongdoing in Baylor's program. Dennehy was missing for six weeks before his body was found in July 2003.

"This is the final step in bringing a two-year scandal to a close for the university," said William D. Underwood , Baylor's interim president.

The NCAA gave Baylor the option of canceling its nonconference schedule, usually about 15 games, this season or next. Underwood said the Bears would play the shortened season this year.

The Bears will be allowed to play Big 12 Conference games and participate in the postseason tournament. Although the team will be eligible for NCAA postseason play, it will be difficult to gain enough wins to make the NCAA or NIT tournament without a nonconference schedule.

-- From News Services