What's going on with New Mexico State basketball?
New Mexico State's men's basketball program has shut down for the season amid a hazing investigation, but this big story hasn't grabbed headlines nationally, at least not yet.
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, some programs ended their seasons due to outbreaks, but it’s rare in normal times for a major college basketball program to curtail a season.
Details about what led to the shutdown are scarce. New Mexico State chancellor Dan Arvizu initially released a statement about the investigation, as shared by ESPN.
“The most important job I have as Chancellor of the NMSU system is to ensure our students are safe and protected from harm. That’s why I was so heartbroken and sickened to hear about these hazing allegations."
Then he tweeted this:
Head coach Greg Heiar and his staff have been put on leave amid the investigation, which comes months after a NMSU player was involved in a deadly shooting.
The lack of details about the investigation or why the program was shut down has led to more questions about the severity of the situation. Universities are notorious for releasing as little information as possible regarding bad news.
Although it won an NCAA Tournament game last season, NMSU isn't well-known nationally.
The hazing allegations came after a November shooting in which Aggies player Mike Peake shot and killed a person, according to reports. The shooting has been described as self-defense.
Authorities have not said if the shooting was connected to the decision to end the team’s season.
New Mexico State officials are tight-lipped, which only adds to the intrigue.
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