Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: COLLEGE: Villanova placed on two years' probation

Villanova, PA (Sports Network) - The NCAA has placed the Villanova men's basketball program on two years' probation for minor violations.

The team, though, will not face a post-season ban or loss of scholarships, as the review found no ethical conduct issues and no lack of institutional control.

The violations, considered secondary, included unauthorized phone use by players in March of 2003. The school suspended 12 players for using a school access code to make long-distance phone calls.

Other violations included contact with prospective players at the home of head coach Jay Wright, as well as arranging transportation for prospects.

"I take responsibility for our program," said Wright. "We take the Villanova tradition and the integrity of Villanova very seriously. This was a case where our basketball staff acted ethically and with the correct intentions. We are going to do a better job in the future. Our basketball program will be stronger in the future for having gone through this."