New Mexico State men's basketball won't resume season

New Mexico State has canceled the remainder of its men's basketball season, the result of hazing allegations that had prompted the university to suspend the program last week. 

Dan Arvizu, the chancellor of the New Mexico State University system, made the announcement Sunday afternoon. 

"This action is clearly needed, especially after receiving additional facts and reviewing investigation reports related to the hazing allegations involving student-athletes on the team," he said as part of a statement. "Hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions. We must uphold the safety of our students and the integrity of our university. It's time for this program to reset. I have spoken with Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Brian Thornton earlier today and informed him of this decision." 

New Mexico State was 9-15 and 2-10 in WAC play under first-year coach Greg Heiar. 

Heiar and his coaching staff had been placed on paid administrative leave Friday, when the university first announced that the Aggies' game Saturday at Cal Baptist had been canceled and that the season had been suspended. Arvizu confirmed over the weekend that the decision was made due to hazing allegations within the program. 

The WAC said at the time that it was "monitoring" the NMSU situation. There was no immediate word from the conference Sunday on its next steps with the Aggies not playing the remaining of their games. 

The suspension came three months after NMSU forward Mike Peake shot and killed a University of New Mexico student in what police called self-defense. Both the school and the Albuquerque district attorney have launched separate investigations after coaches and staffers were found to be in possession of multiple pieces of potential evidence in the shooting, including the gun, after the incident.

Heiar instructed his team to leave town after the shooting and return to campus, even though local police had asked to speak with three NMSU players who were with Peake, who was wounded. 

Information from ESPN's Myron Medcalf was used in this report.