By Mark Bacon
On Friday, as the world now knows, the University of Louisville announced a self-imposed post-season ban. That includes BOTH the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
The decision to do so absolutely screws fifth year seniors Damian Lee and Trey Lewis. Gentlemen who have generously given of their time to the community. Who stood in for Coach Rick Pitino, so he didn’t have to face questions about the Katina Powell sex scandal at the ACC Media Day last Autumn. The scandal that caused the post-season ban.
Lee and Lewis came to Louisville to play ball, despite other offers from other Universities. A chance to walk through the door that leads to NCAA tourney appearances. Something neither player has enjoyed. Now that door has been slammed shut.
By Louisville's administration. The shame rests on them. The Basketball Program should be held very accountable, too. By the fans.
It’s wrong. Rules should be put in in place that prohibit postseason bans -- self-imposed or otherwise -- once a semester begins. Any postseason ban ought to be for the subsequent season. Avoiding the loss of goals and dreams torn away from seniors’ midseason.
And, it’s a money game, remember? This decision likely is going to cost the university thousands of dollars, maybe millions, (if lost donors' revenue is factored in), not to mention the income lost through tournament absences.
The fan base is enraged, dazed and confused, with no real reason offered them. The day is coming when the fans will be enraged all over again. When more details and NCAA punishments (i.e., perhaps lost scholarships) emerge.
"This is a decision that is as harsh as anything I’ve seen," Pitino said. "...I will go along with Dr. Ramsey, and certainly there’s no one in life I have more respect for than Tom Jurich, so we will go along with this, and we will play our last nine games of the season as if they’re the last nine we’ll ever play the game.”
If there are players on this team who are involved in the alleged events, it’s possible that any postseason wins this program collected would later be vacated anyway. If that’s the case, it was a good decision. Four players on the roster were at the university on visits, or on the roster.
The decision that does not guarantee future leniency from the NCAA. There will likely be more penalties.
The door Trey Lewis and Damion Lee hoped to walk through to The Big Dance when they made the decision to attend U of L last April? It's been nailed shut.
Wrongly. University President James Ramsey should be ashamed. Two good players and men were screwed.
