Groce won't say when Rice, Cosby will return

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Illinois coach John Groce (GROHS) won't say when suspended players Rayvonte Rice and Aaron Cosby will return.

Asked Friday when they will return and whether they might play Saturday at Michigan State (15-7, 6-3 Big Ten) he said they remain "indefinitely suspended," without elaborating.

The guards were both expected to return soon from injuries when Groce suspended them just before the Jan. 31 Penn State game for violating unspecified team rules.

Rice is the leading scorer and rebounder for Illinois (15-8, 5-5). But the Illini have gone 5-3 since he suffered a broken hand in practice. Cosby was a starter before he tore a retina against Indiana.

Groce said Rice and Cosby are medically ready to play. He said their roles on the team will be decided when they return.