Baylor loses two players to academics

WACO, Texas, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Two players on the men's basketball team at Baylor University have been declared academically ineligible.

Because of that, forward Terrance Thomas, the Bears' leading scorer and rebounder, and center R.T. Guinn did not suit up Saturday against Purdue.

Thomas averages 18.6 points and 8.0 rebounds for the 5-6 Bears, while fellow senior Guinn averages 11.2 and 5.2. Only five scholarship players remain with the team.

Baylor cannot comment on the players' academic status because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, but Michael Rogers, the school's faculty representative to the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA, said the decision is not related to the university's internal investigation of the program.

The school is investigating violations under former coach Dave Bliss after player Carlton Dotson was charged with murdering teammate Patrick Dennehy last summer. Baylor self-imposed a two-year probation and will not play in this season's conference tournament.