Junior guard Tack Minor was absent Sunday when the LSU men’s basketball team lost 57-54 to the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.
Senior associate sports information director Kent Lowe said coach John Brady attributed Minor’s absence to a “personal issue.”
Minor could not be reached for comment, and Brady did not return calls made Monday to the LSU men’s basketball office.
The Tigers did not practice Monday but will practice the remaining four days of the week, Lowe said.
Minor has a history of off-the-court issues. The University suspended him in June 2005 for a Code of Student Conduct academic-related infraction.
He missed the 2005 fall semester of play and sustained a season-ending knee injury in his third game upon return.
Minor received an NCAA medical redshirt and will have one year of remaining eligibility after this season’s conclusion.
According to a Times-Picayune article Monday, an unnamed LSU source said Minor is “appealing an academic violation” and may face expulsion if found guilty.
Minor also did not play Wednesday in LSU’s 64-53 loss to Vanderbilt University.
Minor, a Houston native out of Booker T. Washington High School, averages 3.6 points and 15 minutes of play per game.
Minor’s high school basketball coach Clarence Stubblefield said he has not spoken to Minor in about a month.
“I’m not going to get into [the rumors],” Stubblefield said. “I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not going to comment right now.”
Sophomore forward Magnum Rolle said he did not know why Minor missed Sunday’s game.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Rolle said. “Hopefully I’ll find out today.”
The Tigers’ offensive struggles have continued as the team averages only 37 percent field-goal shooting in Southeastern Conference play.
LSU is 7-0 when shooting more than 45 percent from the field but only 6-6 when shooting less than 45 percent.
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]