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Miami women's hoops coach Katie Meier suspended for 3 games

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami women's basketball coach Katie Meier has been suspended for the first three games of the season while the school cooperates with an NCAA investigation.

Meier said Sunday that she is cooperating with the NCAA. Neither she, the school nor the NCAA has released specifics of the investigation, other than Miami calling it "an enforcement matter."

The NCAA has not announced any sanctions against Miami, indicating this is a self-imposed penalty by the university.

"For over 30 years I have led my programs with integrity, excellence, equity and grit," Meier said in a statement. "I have, and will continue to, collaborate transparently with the NCAA as they review an enforcement matter with the Hurricanes' women's basketball program. I look forward to returning to competition on November 16th with the most talented student-athletes and coaches in the country."

Meier will miss Monday's season opener against Maryland-Eastern Shore, Thursday's game against Stetson and a Nov. 13 matchup with Boston University, all at home. She will return for a Nov. 16 game, also at home, against Florida Atlantic.

Assistant head coach Fitzroy Anthony will lead the team in Meier's absence.

"The University and Coach Meier are working cooperatively with the NCAA on an enforcement matter and per NCAA bylaws, the University is unable to provide further details or comment at this time," Miami said in a statement.

The only known NCAA inquiry involving Miami in recent months was opened late last spring, centered around some name, image and likeness deals for some of the school's athletes. In June, the university confirmed that there was a review and that it regularly communicates with the NCAA "to ensure compliance with applicable NCAA regulations" but did not offer specifics.

Miami's roster this season includes twins Hanna and Haley Cavinder, two of the most recognizable athletes in the NIL era. The Cavinders announced April 22 that they would be transferring to Miami.

"They are relentless competitors," Meier said during the preseason of the twins. "I think that's been missed quite a bit. But they are relentless. Like, they will not rest unless they perfect something. So they were willing to come into a program that's pretty established. The reason being, they want to play in the Big Dance. They want to play against the nation's best."

The Hurricanes were picked to finish sixth in the ACC this season. They are coming off a 21-13 season that saw them reach the ACC title game and the second round of the NCAA tournament -- falling to eventual champion South Carolina.

Meier's integrity and penchant for playing by the rules has routinely been touted and celebrated by the school. Her 2011-12 team spent most of the season in the top 10, reaching No. 5 in mid-February and cementing itself as a legitimate Final Four contender.

But in the days before the 2012 NCAA tournament, Riquna Williams, an All-ACC guard that year, broke a team rule. Meier said she suspended the guard for "conduct detrimental to the team," and the Hurricanes lost in the second round.

Meier has won 324 games at Miami, the most in school history, and 400 games overall. She is a past Associated Press Coach of the Year, a member of the Miami Sports Hall of Fame and in the Hall of Honor at Duke, her alma mater.