NCAA: No speedy resolution to probe

NCAA President Mark Emmert said Wednesday that new rules allowing the use of information from legal proceedings will help in the investigation of college basketball corruption, though he cautioned that the inquiry is unlikely to be done before the men’s tournament begins in March.

The first federal trial in the case in October resulted in the conviction of three men for wire fraud after testimony that implicated several schools, including Louisville, Arizona and Kansas, of being involved in payments to high school players. The trial was held in New York.

“There’s been, I think, some confusion out there where some people have said the Southern District has now given you a green light to race forth and engage and that’s a bit of a simplification to say the least,” Emmert said during an i nterview at t he Learfield Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

Emmert didn’t attend the trial, though he said the NCAA had representatives in the courtroom. The NCAA is using an outside law firm to communicate with the FBI and federal prosecutors.

“There’s still ongoing trials. There’s still investigatory work being done by the U.S. Attorney’s office. We have to be very respectful of that process,” Emmert said.

KU’s Azubuike hurting: Kansas center Udoka Azubuike rolled his ankle significantly during the second-ranked Jayhawks’ 7247 victory over Wofford on Tuesday night and will be out indefinitely, coach Bill Self said.

X-rays were negative, but Self said Azubuike was “day to day” and that he hoped to have the 7-foot junior back “before Christmas time.”

Azubuike landed awkwardly after attempting to block a floater by Wofford’s Nathan Hoover midway through the first half. He went down on the court, grabbing his right ankle in pain.

Entering the game, Azubuike was averaging 15 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Self said that Marcus Garrett will start in Azubuike’s place.