By ADAM ZAGORIA
UConn has self-imposed a series of penalties in response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations, including reducing the number of scholarships for the 2019-20 season from 13 to 12 and paying a $5,000 fine to the NCAA.
UConn’s decision to self-impose penalties is an attempt to head off further punishment by the NCAA down the road. UConn won the NCAA title in 2014 during Kevin Ollie’s first year at the helm. Ollie was fired last March and is suing UConn, alleging it racially discriminated against him.
“Our athletics department recognizes its responsibility to promote an atmosphere of honesty and integrity as it relates to NCAA compliance and beyond,” UConn AD David Benedict said in a statement. “We take these allegations very seriously and will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA throughout this process.”
This comes as first-year coach Dan Hurley is attempting to rebuild the program. Hurley came to UConn this season after previous stints at Rhode Island and Wagner, and now has to deal with sanctions and lawsuits in Ollie’s wake.