LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville center Marvin Stone sat out Saturday's 82-76 victory over East Carolina as the NCAA examined his ties to an amateur program.

The NCAA has been asking Stone about benefits he received through Mark Komara, a Huntsville, Ala., businessman who also runs an AAU team there.

Donald Jackson, an attorney retained by Stone's family, said the NCAA has been pressuring Louisville to suspend Stone. The school had resisted until making its decision on Saturday morning.

"Obviously, we're very disappointed and still hopeful of a positive outcome,'' Jackson said Saturday.

Stone, who refused to comment after the game, sat at the end of the Cardinals' bench as his teammates snapped a three-game losing streak.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he learned Saturday morning that the school was going to hold out Stone.

Pitino said he was still uncertain of Stone's status for the rest of the season.

"The university has to make the decision,'' Pitino said. "If I would've made the decision, he would've played. That doesn't mean I'm going against the university. I'm a soldier in their army.

"They sat him out in light of something that went on a few years ago, so the university is probably making a prudent decision,'' he said. "I was just told not to play him.''

Louisville athletics director Tom Jurich said little about the situation.

"About all I can say is we're following their lead, doing everything we can to cooperate and that it's ongoing,'' Jurich said.

Stone dressed for practice Friday, but spent most of the two hours on the sidelines.

Pitino has been openly frustrated by the situation, particularly the timing.

The 11th-ranked Cardinals (20-5, 10-4 Conference USA) has one regular-season game left and the conference tournament begins March 12 in Louisville.

Stone is Louisville's second-leading scorer (10.9 points), rebounder (7.4) and shot-blocker (29).

Stone transferred to Louisville from Kentucky in January 2002.

Stone had six points and five rebounds in Thursday's 78-73 loss to Marquette, Louisville's fourth in five games.

Stone took the floor by himself about 15 minutes before tipoff Saturday, wearing a white turtleneck and black sweat pants.