Southern Miss Basketball Announces Self-Imposed Postseason Ban for 2015-16

The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles will not be advancing in anyone’s bracket come March.

According to Raphielle Johnson of CollegeBasketballTalk, the Southern Miss men's basketball program elected to self-impose a postseason ban for the 2015-16 season. That includes forfeiting the right to play in the NCAA tournament and the Conference USA tournament.

The Golden Eagles self-imposed the same penalty last season because they were being investigated by the NCAA for violations that were allegedly committed under former coach Donnie Tyndall.

Athletic director Bill McGillis released a statement Sunday regarding the program’s decision to extend that ban, per Johnson:

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I am very disappointed for the current members of our men’s basketball team and coaching staff, none of whom were involved in any alleged violation of NCAA rules. While excruciating due to the impact on the young men in our program today, the decision to withhold our team from postseason competition following the 2015-16 season is appropriate given the findings of the recent university and NCAA review of our program.

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Tyndall coached the Golden Eagles during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns and led them to the quarterfinals of the NIT in both seasons. He then took the job at Tennessee, although he was fired after one season because of the investigation.

Patrick Magee of the Sun Herald noted Tyndall and Southern Miss will “go before the NCAA this spring to address seven Level I allegations, which are judged as the most serious by the NCAA.”

Among the allegations are impermissible financial aid and obstructing the NCAA’s investigation.

Johnson pointed out the timing and general nature of punishments like this seem unfair because current head coach Doc Sadler and his staff had nothing to do with the alleged infractions. There are also four seniors on the roster who cannot look into transferring to postseason-eligible programs without a penalty. 

It is a difficult way to usher in a new campaign for a Golden Eagles team that is looking to build on last year’s disappointing 9-20 record. Southern Miss will begin the season Saturday with a road trip to Memphis.