March 14, 2000 SportsLine.com wire reports

NEW YORK -- While their teammates practiced for Thursday's NCAA tournament game against Northern Arizona, St. John's stars

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Erick Barkley and Lavor Postell met with an NCAA investigator, according to newspaper reports Tuesday.

Barkley, suspended twice for a total of three games this season by the NCAA, and Postell were interviewed by Deana Garner, the New York Post said. The newspaper said coach Mike Jarvis and athletic director Ed Manetta Jr. also were interviewed by Garner.

The Daily News said the two players were asked about their relationship with Rob Johnson, a self-styled "basketball consultant" who says he helps match up high school players with college coaches.

The Daily News said the NCAA official also questioned Barkley about an the SAT test he took as a student at Maine Central Institute, a prep school at Pittsfield, Maine.

The Post said both players were questioned about possible improper contact with agents or their representatives.

"There were discussions," Manetta told the News. "We're hopeful that this will bring to closure the NCAA inquiry."

Barkley first ran into trouble with the NCAA in February when he was suspended for three games for exchanging vehicles with a family friend. After an appeal, that punishment was reduced to two games.

On Feb. 29, St. John's was forced to declare Barkley ineligible, and he missed that night's victory over Seton Hall. The NCAA requested further information regarding payment of part of Barkley's tuition at Maine Central Institute for the 1997-98 academic year.

He was reinstated on March 3, but the NCAA ruled that he would have to pay back $3,500 of his $22,000 tuition, which St. John's said Barkley received from Riverside Church, a New York AAU program for which he played. He can donate the money to a charity of his choice, and has until his eligibility expires to do so.