USC Sanctions. I'm shocked.

"USC takes allegations of NCAA rules violations very seriously. When allegations were made regarding our men's basketball program we immediately began an investigation and worked closely with the NCAA and the Pac-10 in an attempt to ascertain the truth," Garrett said. "When we've done something wrong, we have an obligation to do something about it and that is exactly what we are doing here."

The sanctions affect only the men's basketball program. The university football program is also under investigation for allegations that Reggie Bush received improper benefits while he played at the school.

USC punishes itself for rules violations

USC has self-imposed sanctions on its men's basketball program for NCAA rules violations, including a ban on postseason competition at the end of this season, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.

The university said the sanctions resulted from an internal investigation that found NCAA rules violations related to O.J. Mayo, who played for the Trojans during the 2007-2008 season under former coach Tim Floyd. Mayo is now with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.

The sanctions are connected to Mayo's involvement with Rodney Guillory, whom under NCAA rules became a USC booster due to his role in Mayo's recruitment.

In 2008, on ESPN's "Outside The Lines," Louis Johnson, a former associate of Mayo and Guillory, accused Guillory of providing Mayo with improper benefits while the guard played for USC.

Floyd abruptly quit in June following allegations that he gave $1,000 in cash to Guillory, who helped steer Mayo to the Trojans. Mayo was one of the nation's most highly-sought prep recruits at the time.

Floyd, now an assistant with the New Orleans Hornets, has never addressed the allegations involving Mayo.

Current USC coach Kevin O'Neill told ESPN's Kelly Naqi he first learned of the self-imposed sanctions from USC athletic director Michael Garrett after Saturday night's game against Arizona State. O'Neill says he met with the USC players Sunday morning and called his recruits after that.

The players were "stunned, shocked, disappointed" to learn of the sanctions, O'Neill said. The Trojans were 10-4 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-10 as of Sunday and have won eight straight games.

"[I] told them what the situation was and it was our expectation that they do the best job they can in the classroom and on the court moving forward," O'Neill said. "Nothing changes in our daily lives; it's just unfortunate that our last game is March 6th."

"The only real emotional part of this, this team has won eight in a row, has battled adversity all year long," O'Neill said. "It will test our mettle but I'm convinced they'll respond very well ... or as well as you could."

USC said it will vacate all wins during the 2007-08 regular season, which was when Mayo competed while ineligible. It will also return the money it received through the Pac-10 for taking part in the 2008 NCAA tournament. The Trojans went 21-12 (11-7 Pac-10) in 2007-08, Mayo's only year at USC, and reached the first round of the NCAA tournament, losing to Kansas State.

The sanctions affect only the men's basketball program. The university football program is also under investigation for allegations that Reggie Bush received improper benefits while he played at the school.

"USC takes allegations of NCAA rules violations very seriously. When allegations were made regarding our men's basketball program we immediately began an investigation and worked closely with the NCAA and the Pac-10 in an attempt to ascertain the truth," Garrett said. "When we've done something wrong, we have an obligation to do something about it and that is exactly what we are doing here."

The self-imposed sanctions include:

• No postseason play in 2009-10, including the Pac-10 Conference Tournament.

• A reduction of one scholarship for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.

• Reducing the number of coaches permitted to recruit off-campus by one during the summer of 2010.

• Reducing the number of recruiting days for the 2010-11 academic year, to 110 from 130.