Report: Oregon waited to expel players to benefit APR

Oregon waited to expel three basketball players implicated in an alleged sexual assault in order to avoid a reduction in its Academic Progress Rate score, reports the TV station KATU.

Oregon had the lowest APR in the Pac-12, according to a March 18 report from the Associated Press. Expelling the players earlier could have resulted in the Ducks incurring sanctions, including scholarship losses.

The alleged assault occurred on March 8, but the three players (Brandon Austin, Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson) were not dismissed from the team until May 5 and not expelled until June 23.

Dotson and Artis played in the NCAA Tournament, while Austin -- who has since transferred to a junior college in Florida -- was ineligible after transferring from Providence.

The university responded to the KATU report in an email to alumni, which was obtained by The Oregonian. Here is part of the email:

There are multiple errors in this story including inaccurate information about law enforcement activities, dates that should not be correlated to one another, and misrepresentation of the expertise of a retired UO faculty member. 

The university took appropriate action when allegations were reported, and we are confident that our steps were necessary to ensure campus safety and integrity of criminal processes. 

- Chris Johnson