Southern Miss Basketball Program Investigated by NCAA: Latest Details, Reaction

The Southern Mississippi basketball program will reportedly be without Rasham Suarez and Jeremiah Eason after the NCAA has opened an investigation into the academics of the players. 

Suarez and Eason are ineligible to play while the NCAA looks into their past work at a junior college. Ben Frederickson of Knoxnews.com provided a statement from Southern Miss:

Jeff Goodman of ESPN initially reported the news:

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The NCAA has been investigating the academics of both players, multiple sources told ESPN. Suarez and Eason both came to Southern Miss from the College of Central Florida in the junior college ranks. The NCAA was in Hattiesburg earlier this week questioning both regarding the legitimacy of their academic work to qualify to play at Southern Mississippi.

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However, it's possible neither player will stay on the sidelines. Goodman's report also notes that Suarez "will likely" play professional basketball in Puerto Rico, and Eason can potentially be reinstated "at some point."

Goodman also noted that the investigation may go deeper than just the academics of Suarez and Eason, as the school is "being investigated for improper financial aid" to Matt Bingaya, Shadell Millinghaus and Davon Hayes. 

In November 2014, Bleacher Report's Jason King reported the NCAA was looking into how the program operated under former coach Donnie Tyndall. 

"A source close to the program told Bleacher Report that the NCAA's investigation centers on how tuition, living expenses and other fees were paid for "Prop 48" recruits who signed with the Golden Eagles but were academically ineligible out of high school or junior college," King wrote. 

The team recently self-imposed a postseason ban.

It's a dark time for Southern Mississippi, as the school continues to find itself under the NCAA microscope for various potential infractions. Given the accusations and action taken, it doesn't seem like the Golden Eagles will be in the clear anytime soon.