MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis athletics department said Monday that the NCAA has denied its appeal of a six-game withholding period for men's basketball center Nemanja Popovic. The announcement came shortly before the Tigers opened the season against Iowa State.
In a statement, the department said it had just been notified that the appeal was denied by the NCAA Athletics and Eligibility Subcommittee, which is made up of representatives from the NCAA membership. As a result, Popovic will serve a six-game withholding period that began with Monday night's opener.
The statement said: "While we are disappointed in the decision, we appreciate the work of our Memphis compliance staff, whose efforts helped secure two seasons of eligibility for Popovic." The department also attached a chart showing the NCAA's delayed enrollment withholding periods.
The background: Popovic, a center from Serbia, was granted two seasons of eligibility by the NCAA on Oct. 26. Because of his previous international competition, however, the NCAA required him to sit out the first six games of the regular season. Memphis appealed that part of the decision, and the appeal was denied on Monday.
Popovic is allowed to travel and practice with the team while he sits out. In Memphis's two exhibition games, against Mississippi State and Arkansas, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Memphis went on to beat No. 18 Iowa State 80-76 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, behind 26 points from Jayden Reid. The Tigers next host VCU on Saturday. That means he will miss the opener and the next five games.
The university did not announce other changes to the roster or the schedule. The statement was posted on the athletics department's website on Nov. 2.