USC bans itself from postseason

USC now owns the most meaningless eight-game winning streak in the country.

On Sunday, the Trojans announced that they will ban itself from postseason play this season – including both the Pac-10 and NCAA Tournaments – as well as forfeit its victories from the 2007-08 season, reduce scholarships and return money it earned from the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

The sanctions are in response to allegations that former guard O.J. Mayo received improper benefits during his one season at USC. Allegedly, Rodney Guillory, an events promoter in Los Angeles, received more than $200,000 from a sports agent and gave Mayo a portion of those funds.

"When we've done something wrong, we have an obligation to do something about it and that is exactly what we are doing here," Athletic Director Mike Garrett said in a statement.

Head coach Kevin O’Neill and the current Trojans’ players learned of the sanctions this weekend.

"I feel terrible for our players, in particular our seniors," O'Neill said. "They've been fighting through adversity."

USC is currently 10-4 overall, 2-0 in the Pac-10, and on an eight-game winning streak. Furthermore, the Trojans are undefeated since Charlotte transfer Mike Gerrity became eligible.

Now, however, that is all rendered meaningless.

"The best way for our players to look at it is we have practice tomorrow at 2 o'clock, and we have a job to do and we're going to do it," O'Neill said.