ATHENS — Three Georgia players, including the Bulldogs' top two returning scorers, will be suspended for the start of the season.

Coach Dennis Felton said Thursday that guard Mike Mercer has been suspended for at least 15 games, forward Takais Brown has been suspended for at least nine and center Albert Jackson will have to miss six. All three are being disciplined for violating Georgia's class attendance and academic appointment policy.

Brown led the Bulldogs with 14.2 points per game last season, while Mercer averaged 13.7.

Georgia finished 19-14 overall and 8-8 in the Southeastern Conference last season but was only 5-5 after losing Mercer to his injury. Georgia lost to Air Force in the Sweet 16 of the NIT.

The 6-foot-8 Brown was Georgia's most productive inside scorer in recent years, leading the team with his average of 14.2 points. He also led the team by making 56.6 percent of his shots while averaging 5.6 rebounds.

Jackson averaged 2.2 points as a freshman.