UCLA debates suspension length

According to an ESPN report Thursday, UCLA officials are having a debate regarding the length of suspensions for LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill.

The three freshmen, who admitted to shoplifting from three stores in China, are currently suspended indefinitely while the athletic program and university’s Office of Student Conduct review the situation. Multiple sources told ESPN that a number of major donors have expressed their thoughts to the school about what should transpire and that school officials are considering suspensions that could last anywhere from half the season to all of it.

Highly touted Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr. missed his second consecutive game Thursday due to a leg injury.

The 6-foot-10 Porter, considered the possible No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA draft, was injured two minutes into the Tigers’ season-opening rout of Iowa State. He had two points and two rebounds in two minutes before leaving the contest. No. 4 Kansas will keep forward Billy Preston on the bench at least until its investigation into an on-campus incident with a vehicle is completed.

Preston was held out of Tuesday’s win over No. 7 Kentucky after the university’s compliance department sought to get a “clearer financial picture” following a single-car incident Saturday. The school said Preston’s car hit a curb, causing minor damage to the tires. No police report was filed.

Preston also sat out the opener against Tennessee State after missing curfew and failing to attend classes the following day.

Michigan State forward Kenny Goins has a sprained left knee and is expected to miss a couple weeks.

The school described the sprain as mild.

Alabama, Purdue and Wichita State will head up the 2018 Charleston Classic.

Next season’s field will also include Virginia Tech, Appalachian State, Ball State, Davidson and Northeastern. News services