AUBURN BASKETBALL: Barber denied fifth year by NCAA

Six minutes cost Vot Barber an entire season.

The Auburn forward lost his request for a medical hardship waiver Wednesday, ending his quest for a fifth season of eligibility, according to an Auburn spokesman. Barber will be a senior this year.

The 6-foot-7 Barber missed the final 20 games of last season with a broken bone in his hand. The injury occurred against Towson on Dec. 29, Auburn’s 10th game — one beyond the NCAA’s maximum.

Players are eligible for medical hardships — which restore a full season of eligibility — if they’re injured before their team completes 30 percent of its schedule. Barber played six minutes against Towson before leaving with the injury.

Because he was so close to the 30-percent mark, Barber appealed to the NCAA for an exception. But after months of suspense, the organization denied the request.

Auburn had no official comment on the decision. Last week, head coach Jeff Lebo expressed frustration that Barber’s situation hadn’t been resolved earlier.

“I thought the decision would have been made long before this point,” Lebo said.

Counting his cameo against Towson, Barber played in 10 games last season, averaging 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds. As a sophomore, he started 29 games, averaging 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds.

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