Illinois suspends guards Rayvonte Rice and Aaron Cosby

Illinois guards Aaron Cosby and Rayvonte Rice have been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, coach John Groce announced in a statement.

Illinois guards Aaron Cosby and Rayvonte Rice have been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, coach John Groce announced in a statement.

Rice has missed the last six games with a broken hand but had averaged a team-high 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds over 15 games.

“Rayvonte and Aaron have been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules,” Groce said. “Hopefully they will make better choices and make the necessary progress to rejoin our lineup.”

Cosby missed the last two games with a retinal tear in his left eye but had averaged 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds over 19 games.

Both players were expected to potentially return to the lineup for Saturday's game against Penn State.

• DAVIS: Weekend picks