MINNEAPOLIS -- The NCAA hit Minnesota with two more years of probation on Tuesday for rule-breaking in the women's basketball program, but spared the school of harsher penalties.

NCAA penalties for Minnesota

NCAA sanctions against the University of Minnesota, announced Tuesday for rule-breaking in the women's basketball program: Extend university probation by two years, through Oct. 22, 2006. Reprimand and censure. Women's basketball scholarships cut by one during 2003-04 and 2004-05 academic years. Paid trips to campus by recruits limited to no more than seven for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 academic years. University must document self-imposed coaching staff recruiting limitations to NCAA in first annual compliance report. Preseason basketball practice for next season must be delayed seven days from specified starting date. University compliance office must be notified of recruits who move to Minneapolis area before full-time enrollment. The compliance office must monitor the recruits to ensure no NCAA violations. Minnesota subject to repeat-violator provisions for next five years, through July 2, 2007.

The women's basketball team will forfeit a scholarship in each of two seasons and recruiting will be trimmed back. But the NCAA declined to shut down the program for two seasons, which had been a possibility under the NCAA's repeat violator rule, and didn't ban the Gophers from postseason play.

Minnesota already was serving four years' probation for academic cheating uncovered in the men's program in 1999. Tuesday's action extends the probation until October 2006.

New head coach Pam Borton, who took the job just two months ago despite the pending sanctions, said she was relieved that she no longer has to reassure recruits nervous about the NCAA's so-called "death penalty.''

"I'm excited that this is over and that this is done,'' Borton said. "We can move on.''

Former coach Cheryl Littlejohn was fired before last season after a university investigation found she had given $200 to $300 to a player, bought clothes for others and encouraged players to lie to investigators.

Tuesday's NCAA announcement cited several other violations by Littlejohn, including arranging free housing for recruits in 1998 and arranging for student managers and assistants to oversee improper workouts in 1998 and 2000.

University officials had pleaded for leniency, arguing that Littlejohn actually broke the rules before October 2000, when the initial probation began. They also argued that self-imposed sanctions, such as cutbacks in recruiting visits and evaluation days, were sufficient punishment.

The NCAA said Minnesota qualified as a repeat offender because of a violation in February 2001, when Littlejohn allowed a student assistant to accompany her on a recruiting trip -- well after probation began for the men's scandal.

However, committee members felt the violation didn't rise to the level of increased sanctions, said Thomas Yeager, the chairman.

"If there had been other violations, there could have been a different result,'' he said.

Littlejohn, whose teams were 29-81 in four years, also was hit in Tuesday's announcement. The NCAA order included a ban on Littlejohn's participation in off-campus recruiting from July 8 through Nov. 20 at Chicago State, where she now coaches. She's also banned from participating in the first seven days of practice this season.

Littlejohn said in a statement that she accepted the decision, although she didn't entirely agree with it.

"I take full responsibility for my actions,'' she said.

University officials were quick to blame Littlejohn at a news conference.

"This case is about the misconduct of a head coach,'' said Marc Rotenberg, the university's general counsel.

President Mark Yudof said the punishment for Littlejohn brings no feeling of vindication for Minnesota.

"We are serious about rules at this university, we are serious about compliance,'' Yudof said. "It's very unfortunate that coach Littlejohn behaved the way that she did.''

The NCAA said it took Minnesota's response into account, including its dismissal of Littlejohn, but said additional sanctions were necessary because of "a lack of institutional control'' and the university's recent history.

Tuesday's sanctions include clipping one week off the time this year's team can begin practice. Borton said the coaching staff will have to manage its time wisely in the upcoming season since they'll have one less week of practice and be allowed fewer visits from prospective players.

"Hopefully we can get a couple of verbals early so we're not bringing in two or three kids for each position to make an official visit,'' she said. "We just have to make good decisions and be smarter about what we're doing.''

Borton inherits a team that was 22-8 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Among the returning starters are guard Lindsay Whalen, the Big Ten Player of the Year, and center Janel McCarville, the league's top freshman.