NCAA decision on Austin expected Tuesday

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - A decision on whether Mississippi State center Mario Austin will be allowed to play this season is expected from the NCAA Tuesday, Austin&#39;s attorney said. <br> <br> The committee that determined Austin was mistakenly ruled eligible as a freshman has a conference call scheduled at 10 a.m. CST, said Donald Jackson, who is representing Austin. <br> <br> ``In all likelihood we should have a decision my midday to early afternoon,&#39;&#39; Jackson said Monday. <br> <br> The NCAA has yet to rule on Austin&#39;s status for this season, but Mississippi State has held him out of its first six games. The 24th-ranked Bulldogs have won five straight since losing their opener. <br> <br> If the NCAA&#39;s committee on initial eligibility stands by its original determination, Austin will be ruled ineligible this season, Jackson said. <br> <br> If the committee changes its mind, Austin would be back in action Saturday when Mississippi State plays No. 13 Xavier in New York. <br> <br> Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton said he was not certain a resolution would come Tuesday. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s hard for me to say because we haven&#39;t had any conversation with that committee,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I don&#39;t have any direct knowledge of what will or won&#39;t happen.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Jackson and attorney&#39;s for Mississippi State made a presentation to the NCAA staff though not to the committee making the decision to provide more information about Austin&#39;s high school academic records. <br> <br> Austin addressed the staff members as part of the last Wednesday&#39;s meeting, Jackson said. It was the player&#39;s first opportunity to speak to the NCAA on his own behalf. <br> <br> ``We wanted him to speak. He&#39;s the person being the most affected by it. He did an excellent job,&#39;&#39; Jackson said. <br> <br> Austin was declared eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse in 2000, and the Southeastern Conference also looked at and approved his initial eligibility. <br> <br> After taking a second look at Austin&#39;s high school records recently, the NCAA decided last month two classes he took in ninth and 10th grades should not have counted toward his freshman eligibility. <br> <br> If the decision goes against Austin another appeal to the NCAA is a possibility or the case could end up in court, Jackson said. <br> <br> If a suit is filed on behalf of Austin, a court injunction could also have him playing again. <br> <br> ``Let&#39;s hope it doesn&#39;t come to that,&#39;&#39; Jackson said. ``We still have faith that administratively this thing will be worked.&#39;&#39;

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