NCAA investigators interview more UH players

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“It’s ridiculous. Some of the kids who live off-campus are incurring late-payment charges and it’s not their fault. These kids have to pay rent just like the rest of us and they have to pay it at the first of the month like the rest of us.” Ben Jay

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The NCAA investigation of the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program, now in its fourth month, is apparently undergoing an additional round of player interviews.

At least two players, including a recent recruit, are said to have been summoned for interviews with investigators.

Some of the questions are said to focus on recruiting visits here, according to what players have told others.

With this latest group of interviews, UH officials, who had previously said they hoped to see a completion of the investigation this summer, now say they have "no idea" when it might conclude or when they will receive an official letter of allegations.

Athletic director Ben Jay declined to confirm which players are still being interviewed Monday or when the investigation might conclude.

"I have no idea (when the NCAA will be finished), I really don’t," Jay said.

The UH Manoa fall semester begins Aug. 25. The first day of official basketball practice for the 2014-15 season is Oct. 3, and the season opener is Nov. 14.

More than 20 players and athletic and administrative staff, have so far been interviewed by the NCAA. Several, including coach Gib Arnold, have been interviewed on multiple occasions.

Asked if the NCAA was finished talking to Arnold, Jay declined comment.

In addition, the NCAA is said to be reviewing a large volume of documents and communications, including emails and phone records.

Arnold and his assistants, including new coach Senque Carey, have been out recruiting on the mainland during the July recruiting period.

UH is in the process of finalizing a new three-year extension for Arnold with a $21,000 raise (to $365,000), which will carry him through the 2017-18 season.

Meanwhile, Hawaii will open the 2014-15 season with a different opponent in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic on Nov. 14.

Upon the UH schedule’s release on July 8, the opener was to pit UH against Cal State Bakersfield, followed by Arkansas-Pine Bluff and High Point in the following days. Now, a UH spokesman said on Monday, the Rainbow Warriors will open against UAPB and play Bakersfield on the second day of the tournament.

Also, one game — Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 3 — has been removed from the slate. Southeastern Louisiana of the Southland Conference has emerged as the most likely option to restore the regular season to a full 30 games again. On Monday, the UH schedule listed "TBA" as the opponent for a Jan. 2 game.