FRESNO, Calif. (AP) The NCAA is investigating possible rules violations involving three Fresno State athletic programs, including the men's basketball team formerly coached by Jerry Tarkanian.

The NCAA is examining whether a local Japanese restaurant fed basketball players for free and whether a sports agent provided benefits to a basketball player.

In March 2000, restaurant owner Ted Kunishige told The Fresno Bee he gave out $3,000 worth of free meals "to every player on the basketball team at one time or another" since 1993.

NCAA rules prohibit college athletes from receiving extra benefits, such as free meals, movie tickets and the use of cars, unless such perks are available to all students.

The NCAA also is looking into the women's basketball program for a recruiting violation, and the men's soccer program for receiving improper athletic aid.

Fresno State athletic director Scott Johnson said the inquiry centers on suspected violations uncovered by the NCAA and the university, as well as ones reported by the school.

"The positive thing at this point is that the majority of the alleged violations concern matters we've already self-reported," Johnson said Monday. "There wasn't a lot that was new to us."

None of the programs was involved in NCAA playoffs when the alleged violations occurred, Johnson said.

Tarkanian, who retired in April after seven seasons, defended the school.

"I'll guarantee everybody, there is not a major violation of any kind," said Tarkanian, now a university fund raiser. "I said it all year, and I'll say it again now."

In recent years, three men's basketball players have been suspended after allegedly receiving extra benefits or having improper contact with agents.

Last August, the university dismissed point guard Tito Maddox after he allegedly accepted an airline ticket from Franchise Sports, a Las Vegas-based sports agency. Maddox's dismissal came after he was suspended eight games by the NCAA during the 2000-01 season for accepting a trip to Las Vegas.

Center Melvin Ely and point guard Chris Sandy each sat out six games during the 2001-02 season while the NCAA and Fresno State jointly investigated allegations that the players received extra benefits.

The university has until Oct. 1 to address the NCAA's allegations. A final determination is expected after the first of the year, Johnson said.

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