BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael McRobbie says he's given the school's athletic director seven days to investigate the NCAA's allegations of major violations by men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and recommend what to do next.

The NCAA alleged Sampson and two assistants committed major violations relating to recruiting. At a news conference Friday afternoon, McRobbie (pictured) said he's ordered Athletic Director Rick Greenspan and other IU officials to investigate whether the allegations are "credible and accurate."

"Let me say I am deeply disappointed by these allegations, and I share that disappointment with all who love and support Indiana University," McRobbie said.

McRobbie said he "can't prejudge what will happen after the investigation," which he ordered to be completed by Feb. 22. However, Sampson's contract includes termination clauses for violations of university or NCAA rules.

Major violations of NCAA rules can carry punishments including postseason ineligibility. The NCAA has asked IU to reply to the allegations in writing by May 8 and to send officials to a June 14 hearing by the Division I Committee on Infractions.

On Thursday, ESPN.com reported a source told it that Sampson's staff seemed uncertain about whether he will finish the season. That source told ESPN.com that IU officials had discussed late into Wednesday afternoon about whether Sampson would coach that night's game against Wisconsin.

Sampson did coach No. 13 Indiana during Wednesday night's 68-66 loss at home to No. 15 Wisconsin. The Hoosiers (20-4) have home games this Saturday (Michigan State) and Tuesday (Purdue).

According to the contract signed in April 2006, Indiana pays Sampson an annual base salary of $500,000. With five years left on the deal, the cost could reach at least $2.5 million.

McRobbie Hails Greenspan, Staff For Blowing Whistle Last Year

McRobbie noted Friday that the NCAA allegations came only after IU self-reported some recruiting violations last year.

The NCAA has alleged that, among other things, Sampson and two assistants didn't comply with telephone recruiting restrictions that had been imposed because of Sampson's previous violations at Oklahoma. The NCAA also alleged Sampson and one assistant misled IU and/or the NCAA during an investigation.

Some of the allegations are based on the school's own reports to the NCAA about impermissible calls linked to Sampson. In those October reports, IU contended the violations were minor and that there was no indication that Sampson or his staff intentionally sought to circumvent the rules.

"I would like to note that we have arrived at this painful situation because the athletics director and his compliance staff did their job," McRobbie said Friday. "They diligently monitored recruiting operations within the men's basketball program and quickly and fully reported the irregularities they found.

"The system Indiana University has established for enforcing compliance worked, and I take confidence in that."

IU in October imposed its own sanctions on Sampson -- making him forfeit a $500,000 pay raise and one scholarship next season. Assistant coach Rob Senderoff also was punished by forfeiting any bonuses or salary increases for one year and later resigned.

However, the NCAA report, which was sent to IU last week, said those and other alleged violations were major -- not minor -- and said Sampson gave "false or misleading information" when investigators probed the situation.

In a statement read after Wednesday's loss to Wisconsin, Sampson said: "The allegations that I knowingly acted contrary to the sanctions that occurred while I was at Oklahoma are not true."

"I have never intentionally provided false or misleading information to the NCAA. I intend to work within the NCAA process on this matter, and I look forward to my opportunity to do so," Sampson said.

Details Of Allegations

The allegations in the NCAA report are:

That Sampson, Senderoff and assistant coach Jeff Meyer failed to comply with sanctions imposed on Sampson for impermissible recruiting calls he made while he was a coach at Oklahoma -- sanctions that followed him to IU when he took the job in 2006. Sampson and Senderoff are alleged to have jointly participated in telephone calls at a time when Sampson was prohibited from being present or taking part when staff members made recruiting calls. Senderoff and Meyer are alleged to have made about 100 calls that exceeded the sanction limits. Senderoff resigned his position Oct. 30.

That Senderoff and Meyer placed at least 25 telephone calls to nine potential recruits that exceeded NCAA limits even if no sanctions had been in place.

That Sampson acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when he knowingly violated recruiting restrictions imposed by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, and that he failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standard of honesty normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics by providing the institution and the NCAA enforcement staff false or misleading information, and that he failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the men's basketball program and failed to monitor the activities regarding compliance of one or more of his assistant coaches.

That Senderoff acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when he knowingly violated recruiting restrictions imposed by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, and that he failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standard of honesty normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics by providing the institution false or misleading information.

That Sampson and Meyer engaged in an impermissible recruiting contact during a two-day sports camp held at Assembly Hall on June 30 and July 1, 2007, and that Meyer provided the potential recruit with an impermissible benefit -- at least one T-shirt and drawstring backpack.

Stay with 6News and TheIndyChannel.com for updates.