Tis Tough: That’s Your Azz USC (Basketball)

This USC basketball team finally stomped down on itself over that whole O.J. Mayo getting broken off by a booster incident that took place during the other Juice’s one season with the Trojans in 2007-08. As a result of the self-punishment USC is going to vacate all the wins from that season and recoup the NCAA for the cheese the school got for making the tournament when Mayo was on the team. USC’s current team, which is currently 10-4 and 2-0 in conference will also be punished for Mayo’s transgressions with the following penalties:

-Postseason ban (no Pac-10 or NCAA Tourney) for this season only

-One scholarship reduction for each of the next 2 seasons

-Reducing recruiting during the next academic year from 130 to 110 days. Also only one coach will be allowed to actively recruit for the program

USC has been conducting an internal investigation under the guidance of the Pac-10 and NCAA for a while, and as a result of their findings, felt their best option was to punish themselves in order to gain some leniency from the NCAA. It’s kind of like in Godfather II when Frank Pentangeli tried to snitch on Don Michael Corleone, but instead realized that he made a mistake and did the only noble thing that he could. USC officials have been quick to point out that these sanctions are limited to the basketball team. But with Pete Carroll’s squad dealing with various allegations of their own, it’s a safe bet that USC will announcing some sanctions sooner than later.

ESPN broke the news prior to the 2008 NBA Draft, when Louis Johnson, a friend of Mayo’s and the alleged booster Rodney Guillory, dimed out his supposed boys after getting phased out of the crew. Johnson told the World Wide Leader about the various gifts and money that Tim Floyd and other USC officials funneled through Guillory during O.J. Mayo’s recruitment and short-lived college career. Johnson provided receipts for TV’s, hotel rooms among other extra benefits that are a big no-no under NCAA rules.

We never support snitching, even if it is the right thing. The current team shouldn’t be punished for the baggage of a coach and player that are no longer apart of the program. A team that has the potential to do something special this season will now have to treat the remainder of their games like they are the tourney, while Mayo is getting big cheese in the league and Floyd gets to coach in the NBA. Doesn’t seem fair, but that’s how it goes.