NCAA Places St. Mary's Hoops Under Probation, Suspends Coach Randy Bennett

The NCAA has placed the St. Mary's College basketball program under probation and suspended head coach Randy Bennett, citing a "failure to monitor its men's basketball program" (via CBSSports.com).

Widely considered one of the best international recruiters in the country, Bennett was disciplined specifically for his unethical international recruiting.

As a result, the 12th-year coach will not be allowed to recruit off campus indefinitely and will face a five-game suspension next season.

He has led the Gaels to four NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2010 to cap a 28-6 season.

In addition to his suspension, the probation will result in a loss of scholarships (11, down from 13) in both 2014-15 and 2015-16.  St. Mary's will still be allowed to participate in their conference tournament following this season and along with any postseason tournaments they receive berths to.

Bennett's team currently has six international players on his roster, with the most prominent being senior guard Matthew Dellavedova, who hails from Australia.  He is one of three Australian players on the roster along with Matt Hodgson and Mitchell Young.

Eividas Petrulis is from Lithuania and Kyle Rowley is from Trinidad.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions also made the following statements regarding Randy Bennett, stating that the coach, "acted unethically in his recruitment of international prospects" and "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance."