St. John's

Sophomore guard Erick Barkley gave Storm-watchers quite a scare when, on the eve of the Big East final, he announced his plans to take a "leave of absence" from the team. Barkley's reluctance to suit up for one more game may have had something to do with rumors that the NCAA is currently scrutinizing his SAT scores, or he may just be sick and tired of all the hot air from having the NCAA breathe down his neck. Whatever the reason, St. John's fears proved premature, as Barkley did return to the court to put up 19 points in the Red Storm's 80-70 win over UConn.

Who could blame Barkley for wanting a break from college hoops? His Big East title is tainted by the shadow of NCAA investigations. After two suspensions in as many weeks, Barkley probably thought he was finally free to concentrate on his game. St. John's appealed the first three-game suspension for swapping cars with a family friend (who also happened to be the brother of his former AAU coach) and got Barkley's pine time reduced to two games.

The NCAA was far from through with its examination of Red Storm players, though. With their extra-benefit antennae raised due to all the predatory agent strikes this season, NCAA investigators hung around the St. John's campus long enough to question starters Lavor Postell and Bootsy Thornton about possible attempts by street agents to contact players. The investigators also looked into the source of Barkley's tuition for his year at the Maine Central Institute. Turns out that the financial plan Barkley worked out to pay for the pricey prep school didn't quite pass NCAA muster. Barkley accepted $3,500 from the Riverside Church basketball program, a powerful New York AAU group. Can't do that. Taking money from AAU coaches, as anyone named Rush can tell you, violates NCAA rules, so Barkley sat out one more game. And of course, he'll be making restitution for that $3,500 tuition bonus.

Coach Mike Jarvis and St. John's are still behind Barkley 100 percent, claiming he has done nothing wrong. The school reluctantly complied with NCAA orders to suspend Barkley the second time, under threats that noncompliance would constitute a more serious violation. NCAA president Cedric Dempsey rebuked St. John's for what he called an incorrect portrayal of unfair treatment during the second investigation. Win or lose with the NCAA, Jarvis and the Storm got their top scorer back in time to sweep the Big East Tournament and head into a Number 2 seed in the Big Dance.

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