UConn basketball hit with sanctions

STORRS, Conn., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Connecticut men's basketball program faces school-imposed penalties, including loss of a scholarship, for allegations of NCAA rules violations.

University officials issued a reply to an NCAA notice of allegations that Coach Jim Calhoun "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance." The school said it doesn't fully agree with the NCAA findings but acknowledged that mistakes had been made.

As a result, the Huskies basketball team will be stripped of one of its 13 scholarships for the next two academic years. The Connecticut athletic department was also placed on probation for two years by the university.

"I am deeply disappointed the university is in this position," University of Connecticut President Philip E. Austin said. "It is clear mistakes have been made. This is a serious matter and we have worked in full cooperation with the NCAA. We look forward to fully resolving these issues and restoring our men's basketball program to a level of unquestioned integrity."

The Connecticut men's basketball program had been under investigation since March 2009 when Yahoo! Sports reported on alleged violations, including improper lodging, meals and transportation, in the recruitment of Nate Miles. Miles was expelled from Connecticut before even practicing with the Huskies.