AP source: NCAA has talked to Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl about possible recruiting violations

AP source: NCAA investigating Vols basketball

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl and an assistant have been contacted by the NCAA about possible recruiting violations, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The NCAA is looking into possible excessive contact with recruits, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, which was first reported by recruiting website Volquest.com. The NCAA has also talked with Vols associate head coach Tony Jones.

Tennessee spokesman Jimmy Stanton says the university has not received official notification from the NCAA of a formal investigation.

“We have not received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA,” Stanton said. “Upon receipt of such a letter, we would release it publicly.”

The NCAA has also interviewed current and former Tennessee football coaches and recruits as part of a separate investigation into possible allegations under former coach Lane Kiffin. The university has not received a formal letter of inquiry from the NCAA about that investigation either.

It’s more negative attention for Tennessee, which saw four basketball players arrested on gun and drug charges in January and two football players arrested in July following a massive bar brawl.