An SEC basketball program is facing sanctions, including a suspension for its head coach, following the conclusion of an NCAA investigation. The case involves Auburn basketball and stems from a 2017 FBI investigation.

Sports Betting in Big Ten Country

There is big news coming to the upcoming 2022-23 Big Ten football season (and NFL season). Ohio online sports betting and Maryland sports betting are on the way.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

During that investigation, assistant coach Chuck Person was arrested and convicted for accepting bribes to steer pro prospects to an agent and financial advisor. That investigation was looking into reports of corruption throughout college basketball.

On Friday, the NCAA officially announced its list of penalties levied at the Tigers:

    • Four years of probation.
    • A 2020-21 postseason ban for the men’s basketball team (self-imposed).
    • A $5,000 fine plus 3% of the men’s basketball program budget.
    • A reduction of one scholarship during the 2020-21 academic year (self-imposed). The program must reduce the total number of scholarships by two during the term of probation.
    • A reduction in the number of official visits in men’s basketball to 20 during the 2017-18/2018-19 rolling two-year period (self-imposed).
    • A ban on unofficial visits for 19 weeks during the 2017-18 academic year (self-imposed).
    • A ban on recruiting phone calls for a 20-week period during the 2017-18 academic year (self-imposed).
    • A reduction in the number of recruiting person days in men’s basketball by 82 days during the 2017-18 academic year (self-imposed).
    • A 10-year show-cause order for the former associate head coach. During that period, any NCAA member school employing him must restrict him from any athletically related duties unless it shows cause why the restrictions should not apply.
    • A one-year show-cause order for the former assistant coach. During that period, any NCAA member school employing him must restrict him from any athletically related duties unless it shows cause why the restrictions should not apply.
    • A two-game suspension for the head coach during the 2021-22 academic year immediately following the release of the panel’s decision.
    • A vacation of all team records in which student-athletes competed while ineligible.

In a statement released by the university, head coach Bruce Pearl acknowledge that he will begin his 2-game suspension during Saturday’s game vs. Nebraska: