The University of Connecticut men’s basketball program has always been known for getting top notch recruits to come to Storrs to play for the Huskies. Well today the NCAA found that Connecticut may have bended the rules in recruiting some of those players to play for UConn.

Connecticut says that the NCAA has found eight violations in their men’s basketball program. The alleged violations include improper phone calls and text messages to recruits, and giving recruits improper benefits. As an institution Connecticut was cited for not adequately monitoring "the conduct and administration of the men's basketball staff in the areas of: telephone records, representatives of the institution's athletics interests; and, complimentary admissions or discretionary tickets." The NCAA also cited head coach Jim Calhoun on Friday for failing to “promote an atmosphere of compliance.”
UConn received the infractions letter from the NCAA after a 15-month investigation was conducted; Connecticut is scheduled to appear before a governing body in October to respond to the charges.

The university and the athletic department declined to comment on the allegations because they are still in the midst of “an ongoing process” with the NCAA.

The NCAA and school began investigating the men’s basketball program shortly after a report was released by Yahoo! Sports in March 2009. The report stated that former Connecticut team manager Josh Nochimson gave basketball recruit Nate Miles lodging, meals, and transportation in an effort to try and guide him to play for UConn. Documents released by the school showed pages of email and text message correspondence between Nochimson and members of the UConn coaching staff, including Head Coach Jim Calhoun.

Nate Miles never ended up playing a game for the Huskies. He was charged with violating a restraining order in a case involving a woman who claimed she was assaulted by Miles. Miles was expelled from the university in October 2008.

It has been known for some time now that the NCAA was checking into the Connecticut men’s basketball program. What was unknown is whether the NCAA would charge any violations against the program as a result of their investigation. Obviously, the NCAA answered that question today with a resounding “Yes”. Stay tuned for more information regarding this story in the future as events continue to unfold. UConn will have a chance to respond to these allegations in October. Then we will see whether the program will be charged with anything and what they will be charged with.