Timetables of NCAA investigations vary from case-to-case, but according to Rick Pitino there could be a conclusion coming soon, at least in terms of the NCAA's investigation, for Louisville's escort scandal. Speaking with Bob Valvano of ESPN 680 in Louisville, Pitino said the investigation is "almost pretty much over" and that "everything's behind us now."
All of this comes less than a week after Louisville self-imposed additional sanctions to the postseason ban that kept the Cardinals out of the ACC and NCAA Tournaments in March, including the loss of one scholarship for each of the next two seasons and a "24 percent" reduction in recruiting days for the 2016 period.
Pitino, his staff and the school have been rocked by the allegations of a self-proclaimed former madame who participated in on-campus parties for recruits with other private dancers. The Louisville coach admitted that "mistakes were made," but everyone involved understandably wants to move forward as fast as possible.
"You just let them do their job, and certainly the university has done everything that they can to justify the mistakes that were made, and then you move forward. And certainly we will. We'll have a great team coming back next year."
That effort to focus on the future has likely played a role in Louisville's decision to self-impose sanctions before the conclusion of the NCAA's investigation. By cooperating with the enforcement staff, the school will hope to lessen the impact of the additional punishments handed down by the Committee on Infractions at the end of this process.
