Georgia's coach Harrick has been suspended

US college basketball's "March Madness" has been hit by controversy before this year's tournament has even begun.

Three major colleges have taken themselves out of the competition on Sunday to select the 65-team field for the national finals.

University of Georgia officials halted their men's season and suspended coach Jim Harrick.

They took action after an investigation uncovered academic fraud and unethical conduct.

The Bulldogs withdrew from the Southeastern Conference tournament.

They were certain to be have been selected for the national competition no matter how they fared.

Blocked

Fresno State University were barred from this week's Western Athletic Conference tournament by league rivals.

They were blocked after school officials confirmed academic fraud charges and withdrew from national consideration.

St Bonaventure forfeited six games and saw university president Robert Wickenheiser resign following revelations the team used an inelgible player.

Ex-National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) infactions committee chairman David Swank said: "It has just gone crazy.

"To have three major programmes removing themselves from competition immediately before the tournament is highly unusual."