The cloud hanging over the highly-successful Saint Mary’s men’s basketball program is gone. The NCAA replaced it with a hammer. Saint Mary’s was hit with crippling sanctions today for recruiting violations, including a four-year probation and scholarship reductions. The penalties do not include an NCAA tournament ban. Head coach Randy Bennett must serve a five-game suspension next season and will not be allowed to recruit off campus during the 2013-14 academic year. The announcement was made in a teleconference this morning. Early story at the Mercury News.
*Read the NCAA report; fan reaction.