Al Nolen, Minnesota's starting point guard and the Big Ten's leader in steals, is expected to miss Saturday's game against Michigan State and possibly the entire second semester due to academic issues, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Nolen has appealed the ruling declaring him academically ineligible Tuesday - when spring semester started - but there's a "glimmer of hope" that he'll play again this season, the person said.

It's a long shot that the appeals process would be decided this week, the person said.

The junior from Minneapolis Henry has started in 17 out of 18 contests and averaged 6.7 points and 4.6 assists per game this season.

Another person familiar with the situation said Nolen had to deal with "extenuating family circumstances" that affected his academic performance in the first semester.

-Royce White, a freshman forward who is suspended indefinitely, practiced with the Gophers for the first time in months Wednesday but remains suspended, according to a person familiar with his situation.