Louisville self-imposes NCAA tournament ban for 2016
Louisville won't be participating in March Madness this year.
The Cardinals announced a self-imposed ban Friday due to an alleged prostitution scandal involving recruits and players that came to light in October. President James Ramsey said the team would not participate in the ACC tournament either.
Rick Pitino and the rest of the Louisville coaching staff informed the players earlier Friday that the team wouldn't be playing beyond the regular season.
"Painful is one of the best understatements I could make," Pitino said while describing the meeting.
The players were obviously disappointed, with graduate transfers Damion Lee and Trey Lewis perhaps taking it the hardest.
Pitino says the entire team stood up and hugged Damion Lee and Trey Lewis as they cried after they were informed of the decision.
— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer_cj) February 5, 2016
The Cardinals came under fire when a woman claimed escorts were paid to dance and have sex with Louisville players and recruits between 2010-14.
Louisville is currently 18-4 and ranked 19th in the nation. Pitino and company certainly would have been one of the major contenders for an NCAA title in March.