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As the saga of J.R. Giddens continues, it could be questionable whether the University of New Mexico's most talented player will make the team's trip to the Bahamas in less than two weeks.

The senior-to-be is "a bit behind" schedule in the classroom but is working to become eligible, coach Steve Alford told ESPN Insider in a blog report that ran Friday. All players must be eligible to make the tournament in Nassau from May 25-June 1, even though it takes place after the spring semester, which ends this week.

Giddens was unavailable for comment, according to the school's media relations department.

Alford has declined interview requests while on the road, but he issued a statement, via e-mail, that sounds more reassuring about Giddens' future.

"All of our guys have been working hard in the classroom," Alford said in the e-mail. "We expect to have each one make the Bahamas trip and be ready to go when practice starts in the fall. Some have more work to do than others, but we are committed to making sure guys take care of business in the classroom."

Alford's e-mail did not identify specific Lobos with possible academic problems.

UNM Athletics Director Paul Krebs said he hasn't heard anything about Giddens' academic status.

"That's not something I'll know until the end of the year," Krebs said. "I haven't talked to (Alford) about J.R. and his grades. I'm familiar in general with his past academic performance, but that's not something I can talk about."

Last season, Giddens' 15.8 points per game were overshadowed by injuries and disciplinary suspensions that combined to sideline him for six of 32 games. Once dubbed a potential NBA lottery pick by former coach Ritchie McKay, Giddens' stock had fallen drastically - out of most top-100 draft boards by year's end.

Al Johnson, a former Texas A&M assistant who coached Giddens in Amateur Athletic Union basketball out of Oklahoma, said Giddens has told him his standing with the team is solid.

"As far as I know, his grades are fine," said Johnson, who talks with Giddens every day. "I've heard he's doing everything he's supposed to and working out with the team. He hasn't called me to tell me he's not going (to the Bahamas).

"If he doesn't get his grades, he's out of there. That's with anybody. If you're not going to be eligible, why keep you?"