Murray State’s second-leading scorer has been suspended indefinitely and will miss the team’s first-round NCAA tournament game against Illinois on Friday in Columbus, Ohio, university officials announced Tuesday.
Forward Kelvin Brown and teammate Adam Chiles were arrested last weekend on drug charges.
“Based on the information we have been furnished, coupled with the past records of the student-athletes, Kelvin Brown has been suspended from the team indefinitely,” Murray State athletic director E.W. Dennison said in a statement.
“On the other hand, the information regarding Adam Chiles does not, in our opinion, merit his suspension from the team, and he will be allowed to participate in the NCAA tournament.”
Brown and Chiles were arrested Saturday after police went to their off-campus apartment in response to a 911 hang-up call and said they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police said they found Brown hiding in a closet. A warrant for his arrest had been issued this month after he allegedly left a service station without paying for gas.
Brown, 21, was charged with theft, possession of marijuana and a second offense of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brown was scoring 12.7 points a game; Chiles averages 10.2 points and 4.7 assists a game.
“Chiles gives them the penetrating point guard,” Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. “[Losing Brown] hurts their depth at forward. They hadn’t started him, and he was giving them almost 13 points off the bench.”
With Chiles in the lineup, Murray State still has an outside shot at upsetting Illinois. The Racers are making their 12th tournament appearance and 10th since 1988.
