Kansas State forward Jamar Samuels hugs coach Frank Martin during senior day ceremonies before an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma State March 3 in Manhattan, Kan. Minutes before the start of today's NCAA Tournament game between Syracuse and Kansas State here at the Consol Energy Center, Kansas State officials announced the Wildcats starting forward Jamar Samuels would not be eligible to play.
In a statement, the university cited "an eligibility concern.''
Samuels, a 6-7 senior, started 29 out of 30 games this season for Kansas State. He was the Wildcats' second-leading scorer (10.3 ppg) and leading rebounder (6.6 rpg).
Kansas State freshman Thomas Gipson was slated to start in place of Samuels.
Game time for the Syracuse-Kansas State game is 12:15 p.m.