USC has self-imposed sanctions on its men's basketball program for NCAA rules violations, including a ban on postseason competition at the end of this season, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.
The university said the sanctions resulted from an internal investigation that found NCAA rules violations related to O.J. Mayo, who played for the Trojans during the 2007-2008 season. Mayo is now with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
The sanctions are connected to Mayo's involvement with Rodney Guillory, whom under NCAA rules became a USC booster due to his role in Mayo's recruitment.
In 2008, on ESPN'ws "Outside The Lines," a former associate of Mayo accused Guillory of providing Mayo with improper benefits while the guard played for USC.
USC said it will vacate all wins during the 2007-2008 regular season, which was when Mayo competed while ineligible. It will also return the money it received through the Pac-10 for taking part on the 2008 NCAA tournament.
The sanctions affect only the men's basketball program.
"USC takes allegations of NCAA rules violations very seriously. When allegations were made regarding our men's basketball program we immediately began an investigation and worked closely with the NCAA and the Pac-10 in an attempt to ascertain the truth," USC athletic director Mike Garrett said. "When we've done something wrong, we have an obligation to do something about it and that is exactly what we are doing here."
The self-imposed sanctions include:
• A reduction of one scholarship for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years.
• Reducing the number of coaches permitted to recruit off-campus by one during the summer of 2010.
• Reducing the number of recruiting days for the 2010-11 academic year, to 110.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/n ... id=4792634
