Written by Jeff Greer at USAtoday.com
The University of Louisville announced on Friday a self-imposed postseason ban on its men’s basketball team for the 2015-16 campaign after multiple sources told The Courier-Journal that such a decision was coming.
The school informed the team’s players in a meeting early Friday afternoon and then held a 1:30 p.m. ET news conference.
“It’s reasonable to conclude that violations have occurred in men’s basketball program in the past,” school President James Ramsey said when he announced the sanctions. Athletics director Tom Jurich said, “We found out yesterday that we had a problem.”
Coach Rick Pitino said the team stood up and hugged graduate transfers Damion Lee and Trey Lewis, who came to Louisville to play their final college season and pursue their first NCAA tournament bid.
“They were hit over the head with a sledgehammer,” Pitino said.
The decision comes as the NCAA continues to investigate a woman’s (Katina Powell) claims that she and other escorts were paid thousands of dollars and given game tickets in exchange for dancing for and having sex with Louisville basketball players and recruits from 2010-14. The NCAA could still levy further sanctions on U of L despite the self-imposed penalty.
Louisville (18-4), ranked 18th in the USA TODAY Sports, had high hopes for deep runs in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
“We knew we had a special group,” Pitino said. “I knew they had great promise.”
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