College basketball notes: Indiana gets probation

Fearing a postseason ban, Indiana University accepted an NCAA-ordered three years' probation with relief Tuesday, eager to continue rebuilding its once-storied men's basketball program.

After months of uncertainty over an embarrassing telephone recruiting scandal, the NCAA spared the school any additional punishment such as a postseason ban or additional scholarship losses.

But former coach Kelvin Sampson, the man at the center of the scandal, faces recruiting restrictions through November 2013 if hired by another school.

"I really believe this allows us to put the whole, ugly episode behind us and move forward," said incoming athletic director Fred Glass.

The announcement ended a 20-month saga that began with Sampson's hiring in March 2006. The committee ruled he ignored signed compliance agreements with Indiana and ignored telephone restrictions imposed by the NCAA. Sampson also deliberately lied to committee members.

Sampson is now an assistant coach with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

• TROJANS FORWARD TO UNDERGO SURGERY: Southern California forward Kasey Cunningham will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today to remove a piece of torn cartilage.

The school said there was no timetable for his return.

Cunningham, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, was injured Sunday when he was hit on the left side of his knee as he went up to take a shot. He finished the game with a career-high 11 points, but USC lost 83-72 to Missouri.

• UMASS SUSPENDS GUARD: The University of Massachusetts has suspended guard Doug Wiggins after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of breaking and entering. Wiggins transferred over the summer from the University of Connecticut.