Two key Connecticut players out for game against Kansas

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The Huskies, already an underdog to top-ranked Kansas, will be even deeper in the hole when they play host to the Jayhawks on Sunday. UConn fans won't see Ricky Moore running the floor or Kirk King attacking the inside.

Both will be watching from the sidelines after they were declared ineligible Thursday amid accusations they accepted improper gifts.

The university and the Big East Conference agreed that Moore and King would not play until the school's investigation is complete and the NCAA issues a final ruling, and that they would at least be benched against Kansas.

"It completely changes things," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said, referring to the more than obvious advantage the Jayhawks would have because of the suspensions. "It would be foolish to say it didn't."

The school and Big East did not identify the gifts the two players accepted. Published reports Thursday said King and Moore accepted airline tickets in 1995.

Neither coach Jim Calhoun nor athletic director Lew Perkins would comment on those reports. Calhoun did confirm reports that the infractions did not occur this season, but did not want to downplay the seriousness of the matter.

"It's not an easy time for us," Calhoun said. "People say it's not a big violation -- but it's still a violation ... They did receive benefits they were ineligible to receive."

King was at practice Thursday, but did not talk to reporters. Moore did not practice as he continued to recover from a recent muscle strain to his lower right leg. He was listed as day-to-day anyway.

Calhoun also said he was "very disappointed, initially, that they allowed themselves to be put into the situation."