What has been speculated on message boards for a couple of weeks has now been confirmed by coach Kelvin Sampson: A.J. Ratliff is ineligible for the first semester due to academics.

Ratliff, a senior, will miss the ACC/Big Ten challenge contest in Bloomington with Georgia Tech as well as the Kentucky game. In total, he’ll miss nine games.

If he regains a favorable academic standing during the fall semester, he’ll be able to play the second semester.

Here’s what Sampson had to say about the situation at a press conference on Saturday, according to the Associated Press:

“As I told him, this is a great chance to be a success story,” Sampson said. “I’m not interested in reliving the past. I told him if he graduates with a degree from Indiana University, he has a chance for a great life, and that’s our goal for him.”

Hopefully Ratliff will get his academics in order and return for the second semester. His absence will create more immediate playing time for Jamarcus Ellis and Jordan Crawford and will make Armon Bassett the most experienced member of the backcourt for the first part of the season.