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| | Friday, March 3 | |||||
| There may be more to the Chris Porter story than originally reported.
ESPN sources say that the NCAA and Southeastern Conference are investigating whether the now ineligible Auburn basketball star took more than the $2,500 he admitted taking from an agent. Also, the SEC is questioning Porter's statement that the reason he needed the money was to keep his mother from being evicted from her home. Auburn officials could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Porter won't accompany Auburn to Arkansas because the school does not think the suspended star will be reinstated in time for Sunday's game. ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported that the NCAA had not received an appeal from Auburn on Porter's behalf late Friday. "If he got declared eligible, you can believe the university planes would find him immediately," coach Cliff Ellis said Friday. "But we don't feel we'll have him for this game." Sunday's game at Arkansas is the regular-season finale and will be the third game Porter will have missed. The Tigers play in the Southeastern Conference tournament next week. Ellis said he hoped the NCAA would not make an example out of Porter by suspending him for the rest of the season. He said doing so would prevent other athletes from being honest during investigations. Ellis said Porter has cooperated with investigators. "If he is not allowed to be back on the court, I am concerned we will not be able to solve the problem of agents," Ellis said. "Everyone who wanted to come forward, they would have a hard time doing it because why would you if they were going to be made an example of?"Associated Press material was used in this report | ALSO SEE  South: Fretting without PorterPorter could be in violation of Alabama law Porter's father 'shocked and disappointed' Porter admits taking money, ruled ineligible by Auburn  | |||||