USC Men’s Basketball program receives notice of allegations from NCAA

USC has now received it’s formal notice of allegations from the NCAA stemming from the FBI corruption investigation. The news came when USC released a statement in regards to the notice on Friday.

The Trojans hoops program becomes the 4th school to receive a notice from the NCAA joining Kansas, Oklahoma State, and NC State.

The former coach that is referenced in the state is former USC assistant coach Tony Bland. Bland was one of four college basketball assistants that was arrested and charged for bribery and fraud following an FBI investigation into college basketball. In January of 2018 USC fired Bland in connection to the scandal.

Bland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery last January. As a part of his plea deal the former assistant admitted to accepting a $4,100 bribe in cash to direct USC basketball players to Christian Dawkins sports management company following college.

Bland managed to avoid jail time, but was sentenced to two years probation and 100 hours of community service. Dawkins was sentenced to six months in prison by a federal judge back in March.

It was a matter of when USC would receive it’s notice of allegations. Friday’s statement did not mention a timeline of when a resolution with the NCAA would come. The Trojans hoops program could face major NCAA violations from postseason bans to reduction of scholarships. So far USC has not faced any consequences for the former assistant coach’s guilty plea.