CHAMPAIGN — For the second time in two years, Illini sophomore Tevian Jones will miss games due to suspension.

On Saturday, the Illinois basketball program announced that Jones has been “suspended indefinitely from game competition due to violation of team academic policies”.

Jones averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game last season as a freshman. The highlight of the year for the 6-foot-7 wing came at Madison Square Garden, where Jones went off for 18 points in an upset win over a ranked Maryland team.

But earlier in the year, Jones was suspended for eight games after a violation of team rules.

The Illini will take on South Carolina in a closed scrimmage on Sunday. They will play an exhibition game against Lewis next Friday, and the regular season begins on Nov. 5 at home against Nicholls State.

After that, Illinois will go on the road to play at Grand Canyon and No. 21 Arizona. According to a source, Jones is not expected to be available for those games.