Louisville self imposes postseason ban: Is it the right move?

One of the major questions surrounding the story is how much previous knowledge head coach Rick Pitino had about the “parties” that were alleged to have taken place in Louisville basketball dorm rooms. The University of Louisville has announced that they will do a self-imposed postseason ban this year for the men’s basketball team.

“Based upon the available information gathered by the NCAA Enforcement Staff and the University of Louisville, I determined that it was reasonable to conclude violations had occurred in the men’s basketball program in the past”, said Ramsey.

But it’s this group who will be denied a chance to compete in the conference tournament or the NCAA Tournament, both tournaments in which they are (were) expected to do exceedingly well. He said it was his decision to remove the team from postseason eligibility. The NCAA is conducting an investigation into the claims. Whatever violations Louisville is copping to – and we don’t know, because the school was resolutely vague Friday beyond acknowledging that some have occurred – happened before Lee and Lewis came to school here.

“See, Damion and Trey have nothing to look forward to, future-wise, right now”, Pitino said.

In the messy world of NCAA justice, here is where the scales tilt out of balance: in a Louisville locker room at their practice facility on a Friday afternoon, when two players are told their dream is dead.

Jurich called the decision “sad” for U of L players.

“We found out yesterday (Thursday) that we had a problem”, Jurich said. We continue to provide our students the very best learning environment that allows for them to be successful. Arrieta, 29, who made $3.63 million previous year, helped the Cubs win the NL wild card by going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA…

Damion Lee transferred to Louisville with the hope of playing in the NCAA tournament. They’re the ones who will sit on their couches wondering what an NCAA tournament feels like, while their coach who’s been to 20 laments missing this year’s because he’s got a team he thinks would have made a deep run – and padded his Hall of Fame career. “They’ve done their jobs. They’ve captured the imagination of our fans”.

There are nine games left in the season. Lee, who transferred from Drexel for his senior season, averages 17 points per game.

Pitino said he had not been consulted about the ban, but compared himself to a soldier doing “what the generals say”. Louisville will be back next season hungrier than ever, and the college basketball world should be on full alert for the now young and experienced squad.

The allegations that the woman, Katina Powell, and her daughters were paid $10,000 to dance and have sex with the Louisville players in their on-campus dormitory on almost two dozen occasions were outlined in “Breaking Cardinal Rules”, a book she published previous year that prompted investigations from the school, campus police department, a local grand jury and the NCAA.

Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich listens as University President Dr. James Ramsey announces a self-imposed ban on postseason play for the 2015-16 men’s basketball program, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, in Louisville Ky.