UA men’s hoops has decided to self-impose a 1-year postseason ban

In what is not a complete surprise, the University of Arizona has decided to offer a self-imposed one-year postseason ban against the men’s basketball program.

UA made the announcement a little after noon today.

In doing so, UA admitted to finding certain former staffers “displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the University’s expectation of honest and ethical behavior.

That decision comes from the UA but not from the NCAA’s Independent Accountability Review Process, which is handling the case.

The ARP can either give UA the same punishment or go beyond what UA has decided for itself.  The ARP decision is not appealable. It’s not clear when that decision will be made.

In the statement, Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said it was an “extremely difficult” decision but decided to do so.

“The University of Arizona is self-imposing a one-year postseason ban on the UA Men’s Basketball program as a proactive measure in its ongoing NCAA enforcement process,” UA said in a written statement. “The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA’s investigation revealed that certain former members of the men’s basketball staff displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the University’s expectation of honest and ethical behavior. It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA for the type of violations involved. This decision also reinforces the institution’s commitment to accountability and integrity as well as serving the best long-term interests of the university and the men’s basketball program.”

Arizona made no mention of head coach Sean Miller or any involvement with any NCAA infractions. Miller has long denied any improper actions regarding his program.

“I understand and fully support the University’s decision to self-impose a one-year post season ban on our Men’s Basketball program,” Miller said in the same statement. “Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a PAC-12 championship.”

Said Heeke: “The decision to self-impose a postseason ban was extremely difficult, as we recognize the impact that it has on our current student-athletes. We will continue to cooperate fully with the NCAA enforcement process and continue to support the hard-working young men in our Men’s Basketball program.”