Christmas in the midst of Lent.

Oh how I hate ohio state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State was placed on three years' probation Friday, a ruling that wipes out records from four NCAA Tournament appearances by the men's basketball team -- including a trip to the 1999 Final Four.

The decision by the NCAA does not affect this season's team, which is 22-4 and ranked seventh in the country. The announcement came about two hours before the top-seeded Buckeyes' quarterfinal game against Penn State in the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

The Buckeyes won't be barred from postseason play as a result of using an ineligible player from 1999-2002 under former coach Jim O'Brien. However, the school will have to repay tournament revenues, likely around $800,000, for the four years in which Boban Savovic played. He received improper gifts, including housing and cash, from a booster.

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In addition, five women's basketball players received free dental work totaling $13,760 in violation of NCAA bylaws. Troy Smith, the star quarterback in the Buckeyes' victories over Michigan the past two years, received $500 from a booster. Smith was suspended for the team's 2004 bowl game and the 2005 opener.