North Carolina Sorting Out Player Availability for Game Against LSU

It was nearly two weeks ago when North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour warned that he did not expect a quick resolution to the ongoing NCAA investigation into player-sports agent relations and academic improprieties within the football program.

In fact, a cautious Baddour said it was likely the probe would extend beyond the start of the season.

The uncertainty surrounding the program has only increased since multiple players are not expected to be available for UNC's season-opener against LSU in Saturday's Chick-fil-A-Kickoff game in Atlanta.

"We've had to be somewhat prudent in the number of practice repetitions that certain guys get," UNC head coach Butch Davis admitted.

"It's just something that we have to almost kind of play by ear."

While Davis suspended defensive tackle Marvin Austin indefinitely on Wednesday for violating unspecified team rules, the Tar Heels still face the possibility of taking the field against LSU minus wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Robert Quinn and others.

As a result of the investigation, nine players reportedly were moved during practice to the football scout team, including those who were part of the initial NCAA investigation.

The Tar Heels are working with the NCAA and hope to be able to decide before Friday morning which players will not make the trip and which should be held out for precautionary reasons.

UNC may have to play without seven defensive starters, including numerous high draft choice projections, according to ESPN.com.

Among the players the web site reported are in danger of not traveling with UNC Friday are Austin, Quinn, linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant and cornerbacks Kendric Burney and Charles Brown. The school is also exploring the possibility of "rolling suspensions" with the NCAA, which would allow it to spread player losses over multiple games.

A pregame depth chart wasn't included in the game notes packet released to the media Monday.

"Practice reps have more significant meaning than they did two, three weeks ago, not only because of who is taking them, but because now an opponent actually has a face," Davis said.

During the summer, the NCAA began an investigation into whether Austin, a defensive tackle, and wideout Little received improper benefits from agents.

The investigation widened to include academic improprieties after allegations surfaced of a former tutor allegedly writing papers for players. The female tutor in question was employed by the university before Davis hired her to work with his high school-aged son, media reports indicate.

Despite the NCAA probe, Davis says his team remains upbeat and anxious to face LSU.

"I think this football team is certainly in that situation, you know, that it's time to go and play, be able to kind of put some of the distractions behind us and focus legitimately on an opponent," Davis said.

"Whatever players we're able to use in that particular ball game, they're going to have to execute the game plan because LSU's not going to change."