Pitino: Louisville needs to fight

Former Louisville coach Rick Pitino believes the school should consider taking legal action against the NCAA after it ordered the Cardinals’ 2013 men’s basketball championship vacated as part of the sanctions for a sex scandal.

Louisville announced Tuesday that the NCAA had denied its appeal of sanctions that included vacating 123 victories and the return of about $600,000 in conference revenue from the 2012-15 NCAA tournaments. The school later removed banners of the 2013 championship and 2012 Final Four appearance.

Pitino said Wednesday from his attorney’s offices in New York that the NCAA’s decision was unfair and that Louisville’s Board of Trustees should consider legal action.

“I don’t know if this board will do that, but they should because the players deserve it,” Pitino said. this season after an eligibility issue surfaced when an FBI investigation concluded former Trojans assistant Tony Bland was one of four college basketball assistants accepting bribes to steer players toward agents, financial advisers and apparel companies. Red Raiders upset: Kendall Smith scored 21 points to help Oklahoma State (16-12, 6-9 Big 12) stun No. 6 Texas Tech 79-71 in Stillwater, Okla.

The win was the Cowboys’ fifth against a top-25 team.

Zhaire Smith scored 18 points for the Red Raiders (22-6, 10-5). Game postponed: Seton Hall’s game against Providence was suspended with 13 minutes, 3 seconds left in the second half because of moisture on the Dunkin’ Donuts Center court, which created unsafe playing conditions. USC player leaving: SusThe Dunkin’ Donuts pended USC sophomore Center doubles as a hockey guard De’Anthony Melton rink. announced he will withThe game will resume draw from the university Thursday at noon EST at and focus on preparing for Alumni Hall on the Provicampus.professionalbasketball.dence

Melton has not suited up