Louisville self-imposes postseason ban for this year

Louisville self-imposed a postseason ban stemming from its investigation into the allegations of an ex-escort as detailed in the book "Breaking Cardinal Rules"

Louisville has self-imposed a postseason ban for this season amidst an NCAA investigation, the school announced Friday.

The NCAA is looking into a woman’s claims she and other women were paid thousands of dollars in exchange for having sex with Louisville players and recruits from 2010–14. The allegations come from a book written by Katina Powell, who says former Louisville director of basketball operations Andre McGee paid her and other escorts $10,000 to dance and have sex with students during a four-year period. 

Former players and recruited confirmed some of the allegations to ESPN in October. Friday, Louisville president James Ramsey said the ban was appropriate because it was reasonable to conclude the violations did occur.

“We will own our problems,” Cardinals athletic director Tom Jurich said. “We want to do what’s right by the NCAA and our players.”

Lousiville coach Rick Pitino described announcing the ban as “a night of extreme pain.”

“This is a punishment I never thought would happen this season,” Pitino said. “This is as harsh a punishment I've seen.”

The Cardinals are currently 18–4 and in second in the ACC. Louisville has nine games remaining in the regular season.

– Rohan Nadkarni