One of the most important shots Cincinnati Bearcats forward Ruben Patterson will take this season has been rejected.
UC's appeal to have Patterson's 14-game suspension reduced or eliminated was denied Wednesday by the NCAA's five-member committee on eligibility appeals.
Patterson, UC's star senior forward, will not be permitted to join the Bearcats until they play at Louisville Jan. 18.
Patterson was suspended for several violations of the NCAA's extra benefits rule, including the use of a condominium belonging to his summer employer, Bobby Carter, and Carter's co-signature on a car loan Patterson obtained.
Also, Patterson stayed in a UC dorm during the summer of 1996 without performing all required work to cover his room and board and used a Jeep belonging to his friend, former Bengal Tim McGee.
''I'm satisfied we represented Ruben as well as we could,'' said UC Athletic Director Bob Goin. ''We presented our desire to have some relief. They listened to it, and they listened to the NCAA staff explain how they arrived at the decision they did.
''We said he's paid a hard fine already. We've asked for the money back and he's been judged by the media and he'd be better off on the court. They said the penalty fits and they sided with the NCAA.''
McGee and Patterson have been close since the latter was in junior high. He said last week that Patterson did not have the Jeep for 19 days, as stated in UC's report, but for a two-day trip to Cleveland for a family emergency.
In UC's report and the NCAA letter declaring the 14-game suspension, Patterson is not charged with breaking a rule by using the Jeep. It says he was warned not to use the vehicle because of McGee's position as a player agent.
''That came up. It was discussed how many days he had the truck,'' Goin said. ''The truth of the matter is, he got the truck after he had been coached not to do that.''
The committee was chaired by Tulane Athletic Director Sandy Barbour. Other members: administrators Barbara Church of the Metro Atlantic Conference, John Coyle of Penn State, Craig Littlepage of Virginia and Rick Mizutto of St. Mary's.
Goin said UC ''did what we felt comfortable doing, and we couldn't get them to move.''
THE CROSSTOWN TURNABOUT
NCAA VIOLATIONS REPORTS
SEASON IN STORIES
