Poor academic scores lead to post-season ban next year for UT men's basketball team

University of Toledo men's basketball team, shown here at a practice last season, gets post-season ban for poor academic scores progress.

The University of Toledo announced Wednesday the NCAA has banned its men's basketball team from postseason play next season because of poor Academic Progress Rate scores. UT will also be ineligible for the Mid-American Conference tournament.In addition, UT will have its weekly practice time reduced by four hours per week and have to reduce its regular season schedule by three games next season.

The poor APR scores predated second-year coach Tod Kowalczyk's arrival. UT's four-year rolling average of 869 from 2007-11 falls below the 900 threshold mandated by the NCAA to maintain postseason eligibility. Its two-year rolling average - 2009-11 - of 917 misses a necessary mark of 930.

There is a possible catch that would allow UT to play in the postseason. The NCAA's Committee on Academic Performance will meet this month and in July to determine whether to factor in scores from 2011-12. If they go that route, UT will be fine. UT expects to score a 980 after posting a 939 in 2010-11.

"I firmly believe when the presidents get together in July they'll decide to use this year's APR," Kowalczyk said. "There's not a legitimate reason why they can't speed up the process and use this year's number."

Due to the postseason ban, the NCAA is allowing seniors-to-be Curtis Dennis and Dominique Buckley to transfer to another institution without sitting out next season. Both of them indicated Wednesday their plans to stick around..

"I fully expect them to be back being Rockets and excited about the opprotunity to compete for a regular season [MAC] championship next year," Kowalczyk said.

On a positive note, all three scholarships the NCAA revoked last spring have been returned. UT picked up a verbal commitment Tuesday from Loyola (Md.) transfer Justin Drummond, who is expected to sign a letter of intent Wednesday. A sophomore wing, Drummond was named sixth player of the year in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, averaging 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds.