"But for SMU, why is the penalty so harsh?"

Here's a solid perspective from Golfweek.com's Lance Ringler on SMU golf's essential death penalty announced this week. He asks if "64 contacts and less than $1,000 in discounts on SMU golf apparel and equipment result in a postseason ban? And for current players that were not even named in the report?"

Ringler also writes:

If you consider the track record at SMU, it might shed more light. SMU has now become the most penalized NCAA member institution in history with its 10th major case. The penalty is not necessarily against the golf program and its members but rather more against the institution.

Also, these sanctions might have been what they were because they were issued along with basketball sanctions.

Of course, SMU will appeal this and while the appeal could be a lengthy and drawn-out process, there is hope for the players that the ban on postseason play could be lifted.

It's rather remarkable that the NCAA is one of the most disliked organizations in sports and American college athletics, and that cases like this one are precisely why people do not care for them.