NCAA basketball FBI investigation.....

[psu00]

Why no outrage over repeat offender Bruce Pearl at Auburn or top dog Sean Miller and Arizona?

Im not sure how the FBI lawyers decide to write their press releases. They name 4 assistant coaches and schools by name and then try to cryptically hide Louisville, Pitino, and Miami with coy language (that people figure out in under 5 minutes).

Anyway, the attention is all on Pitino and Louisville. Clearly they deserve attention, but no one is talking about Auburn (with Bruce Pearl's cheating history), USC, Oklahoma State, Miami, or Sean Miller and Arizona.

 

[BisbeeMike]

Being a fan of the Cats, I'm surprised Miller has escaped scrutiny.

 

[psu00]

Being a fan of the Cats, I'm surprised Miller has escaped scrutiny.

Yeah- I have no idea who is or isn't guilty. I just find it funny that 6 different schools have been named so far and everyone is all over Pitino and Louisville. The other 5, (including a repeat offender at Auburn and big dog Arizona) are completely flying under the radar with little to no attention.

Reading a lot of the coverage and talk of the investigation- it seems all the new focus is now moved on to the Nike subpoena and will they get Caliperi at Kentucky, Kansas or UNC? And finally- will this cross to football?

It's just funny how people's attention is so selective so far.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Jay Bilas thinks Miller at AZ is clean...per Jay on twitter:
I know Sean Miller to be a man of great honesty and integrity. I don't believe for a second he knew of any improper behavior.

So According to Jay, Sean frickin Miller is a man of honesty and integrity, and Joe Pa wasn't? Can this be possible? BTW one eventual response to Jay's tweet:
Joe Paterno was an honest man with integrity too.

And there it is - even in the filth that is college hoops, Joe is a punchline.

 

[royboy]

Jay Bilas has a strange agenda of some sort. Lacking in good sense.

 

[Lion8286]

Jay Bilas thinks Miller at AZ is clean...per Jay on twitter:
I know Sean Miller to be a man of great honesty and integrity. I don't believe for a second he knew of any improper behavior.

Ah, the Jay Bilas endorsement. Miller should start cleaning out his office immediately.

 

[psu00]

Sean Miller may be innocent- but reading the Arizona site it appears 2 Arizona assistants were involved (1 has since moved on to another school). So Sean Miller didn't know about 2 assistants doing this now? Jay Bilas is letting personal opinion color his objectivity, much like Vitale.

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

Sean Miller may be innocent- but reading the Arizona site it appears 2 Arizona assistants were involved (1 has since moved on to another school). So Sean Miller didn't know about 2 assistants doing this now? Jay Bilas is letting personal opinion color his objectivity, much like Vitale.

Book Richardson was with Miller for about 13 years. It strains credulity to think Book was running a rogue operation.

 

[SmithtonLion]

Why no outrage over repeat offender Bruce Pearl at Auburn or top dog Sean Miller and Arizona?

Im not sure how the FBI lawyers decide to write their press releases. They name 4 assistant coaches and schools by name and then try to cryptically hide Louisville, Pitino, and Miami with coy language (that people figure out in under 5 minutes).

Anyway, the attention is all on Pitino and Louisville. Clearly they deserve attention, but no one is talking about Auburn (with Bruce Pearl's cheating history), USC, Oklahoma State, Miami, or Sean Miller and Arizona.

I believe the answer to your question can be found in one word (well, maybe two or three): Journalist = moron.

 

[060802]

Journalists, namely ESPN, are in damage control mode. Remember how much money everyone makes from college basketball, especially the TV networks. Pitino was already damaged goods so he is the sacrificial lamb. The media's hope is that the public will be happy with just his scalp and be willing too move on, for the greater good. Nothing can jeopardize the game.

I don't think this will work. For one, the NCAA has to prove it is not a bunch of incompetent, if not corrupt, buffons. So they will be looking to put more on a show. However, the real pressure will come from the Feds. This is the type of case that makes careers for them. Once in a lifetime opportunity. They will not let it pass.

While ESPN will try to cover this up, since it hurts their model, and may ultimately implicate them, I don't think they will be able to.

 

[Lyons212]

Journalists, namely ESPN, are in damage control mode. Remember how much money everyone makes from college basketball, especially the TV networks. Pitino was already damaged goods so he is the sacrificial lamb. The media's hope is that the public will be happy with just his scalp and be willing too move on, for the greater good. Nothing can jeopardize the game.

I don't think this will work. For one, the NCAA has to prove it is not a bunch of incompetent, if not corrupt, buffons. So they will be looking to put more on a show. However, the real pressure will come from the Feds. This is the type of case that makes careers for them. Once in a lifetime opportunity. They will not let it pass.

While ESPN will try to cover this up, since it hurts their model, and may ultimately implicate them, I don't think they will be able to.

Regarding the Feds, once you are charged, I believe it is something like a 97% change that you will either plead guilty or be convicted. There will be more ugly stuff coming out as those who have been charged start rolling over to avoid jail time or reduced sentences.

 

[Obliviax]

Jay Bilas has a strange agenda of some sort. Lacking in good sense.

My guess? They protect their sources. We should have learned by now that most of the press are simply enablers. They align with whoever gives them a nice ride.

 

[Lion84]

When does the Media focus on the big name and never bother to think anything through - seems like I have seen that before - as said journalism died a slow death a very long time ago.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Dream of dreams would be if this somehow gets back to the NCAA...they already look like buffoons for "not knowing" how corrupt their game is, but how awesome would it be if Marc Emmert's name pops up in one of the reports?!?

Regardless, no more placating the system by turning a blind eye. The big boys are involved now and they don't seem to give a shit about protecting the machine.

 

[Ian]

And the big four (Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and UNC) are clean? Can't wait to see what crawls out from under the rock when NIKE is exposed! And UnderArmour....

 

[royboy]

And the big four (Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and UNC) are clean? Can't wait to see what crawls out from under the rock when NIKE is exposed! And UnderArmour....

Well, I'm not sure about your assumptions. These schools are often getting top 10 to 15 talent who will be going to the pros in one year. What is the enticement of illegal benefits of, say, $100,000, when the player can get drafted within a year and legally sign an NBA contract for $10 million for 3 years?

 

[BobPSU92]

Well, I'm not sure about your assumptions. These schools are often getting top 10 to 15 talent who will be going to the pros in one year. What is the enticement of illegal benefits of, say, $100,000, when the player can get drafted within a year and legally sign an NBA contract for $10 million for 3 years?

For the schools: Get the best players, win a title this year. Then, get the best players, win a title next year. Then, get the best players, win a title the year after that. Then...

For the players: Quick cash. A $100k now is better than $10 million that I don't yet have. Also, if some is good, more is better. Besides, since I will only be at the school a year or two, I don't really care if they get caught. I'll be gone by the time anyone finds out, making that $10 million.

 

[Ian]

Yep, no incentive at all RoyBoy... Adidas has Kansas don't they. I'd love nothing more than to see Roy Williams get linked after his "I know nothing" of the academic fraud.... and it was interesting that Coach K hopped on the "one and done" bandwagon in just the last five years. Hmmmm. I wonder. Calipari? Always slippery and his UMas and Memphis stints kinda sets the table.

 

[royboy]

For the schools: Get the best players, win a title this year. Then, get the best players, win a title next year. Then, get the best players, win a title the year after that. Then...

For the players: Quick cash. A $100k now is better than $10 million that I don't yet have. Also, if some is good, more is better. Besides, since I will only be at the school a year or two, I don't really care if they get caught. I'll be gone by the time anyone finds out, making that $10 million.

Come on, Bob. I doubt you would believe that. Life for one year at college at one of the top programs is not bad, even without direct payments. We'll get a pretty good idea of the extent of this IMO with the Feds having leverage on a lot of these folks.

 

[Ian]

Can't wait for a Trump Tweet on the matter!

 

[BobPSU92]

Come on, Bob. I doubt you would believe that. Life for one year at college at one of the top programs is not bad, even without direct payments. We'll get a pretty good idea of the extent of this IMO with the Feds having leverage on a lot of these folks.

It's so hard to believe that some of these kids are greedy and would turn down a bundle of cash now? Really? Some kids are impatient. A year or two is a long time. There also is no guarantee that the $10 million will come. Also consider the common story of the kid with the single mom working two jobs and barely scraping by in a small apartment. You don't think $100k in cash now is tempting or flat out wanted?

 

[Ian]

You saw the Calipari 30-30 episode. He recruits mostly less fortunate players.... not afraid to go into the hoods. He's got the magic pill.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Why no outrage over repeat offender Bruce Pearl at Auburn or top dog Sean Miller and Arizona?

Im not sure how the FBI lawyers decide to write their press releases. They name 4 assistant coaches and schools by name and then try to cryptically hide Louisville, Pitino, and Miami with coy language (that people figure out in under 5 minutes).

Anyway, the attention is all on Pitino and Louisville. Clearly they deserve attention, but no one is talking about Auburn (with Bruce Pearl's cheating history), USC, Oklahoma State, Miami, or Sean Miller and Arizona.

The big fish get all the attention, you should know that.

 

[Ian]

They will play the race card, especially after Trump drops a tweet!

 

[demlion]

Wait until they indict the head coaches and they reveal the NCAA knew about the fraudulent scheme, and did nothing.

 

[Lavar5150]

Sean Miller may be innocent- but reading the Arizona site it appears 2 Arizona assistants were involved (1 has since moved on to another school). So Sean Miller didn't know about 2 assistants doing this now? Jay Bilas is letting personal opinion color his objectivity, much like Vitale.

Guys like Miller and Pitino are great coaches and a big reason is they are thorough and they leave nothing to chance. To think they are shocked or surprised at anything that is going on inside their program is hilarious

 

[BobPSU92]

NO. POLITICS.

 

[Lavar5150]

And the big four (Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, and UNC) are clean? Can't wait to see what crawls out from under the rock when NIKE is exposed! And UnderArmour....

Keep waiting on Duke. Guarantee there is nothing there.

 

[Talpsu]

Something tells me that Nike won't be caught up in this. Reason being is because they are already so big and have their hand in everything including the top deals. Adias and UA are playing catchup to Nike hence their method of trying to get some of these top althletes

 

[Ian]

Why did Coach K start recruiting "one and dones"? No pressure from NIKE.

 

[Ian]

No one is exempt when the FBI gets involved. NCAA, yes, but Feds don't care. They like big game targets.

 

[BlueBand]

Guys like Miller and Pitino are great coaches and a big reason is they are thorough and they leave nothing to chance. To think they are shocked or surprised at anything that is going on inside their program is hilarious

That's the argument people used with Joe... he had to have known.

And yes, the kids weren't part of the program, but they are around it, and the alleged McQueaty incident happened in the facilities.

 

[Lavar5150]

Why did Coach K start recruiting "one and dones"? No pressure from NIKE.

He always recruited very good players but he started getting more players who were one and done I think because he was coach of USA basketball. If your a kid who is nba ready who better to spend a year with than a guy who coaches and has a relationship with the best players in the world

He knows a little about basketball too!

 

[Talpsu]

That's the argument people used with Joe... he had to have known.

And yes, the kids weren't part of the program, but they are around it, and the alleged McQueaty incident happened in the facilities.

I somewhat agree with that but this is directly related to coaching duties and getting recruits. Not a great example but just look at the movie blue chips. I can guarantee these head coaches hear parents asking them how much they will get paid and even with a response of "we dont pay players" the coach has to wonder how the recruit suddenly chooses to go there. Not knowing who paid them or if they were even paid isnt an excuse. If Joe walked into a living room and was asked how much they would be paid he would simply not recruit them anymore. What JS did in his "personal time" isnt really the same

 

[royboy]

Why did Coach K start recruiting "one and dones"? No pressure from NIKE.

Uhh.....he wanted to get the best players?

 

[Lyons212]

Wait until they indict the head coaches and they reveal the NCAA knew about the fraudulent scheme, and did nothing.

Better yet would be if they tied money going to the NCAA.

 

[john4psu]

No one is exempt when the FBI gets involved. NCAA, yes, but Feds don't care. They like big game targets.

The Second Mile amazingly skated away.

 

[masterbaker65]

I know someone close to Michigan State basketball. Few years ago they lost some big time recruits to Duke. Let's just say it was very fishy...

 

[BlueBand]

I somewhat agree with that but this is directly related to coaching duties and getting recruits. Not a great example but just look at the movie blue chips. I can guarantee these head coaches hear parents asking them how much they will get paid and even with a response of "we dont pay players" the coach has to wonder how the recruit suddenly chooses to go there. Not knowing who paid them or if they were even paid isnt an excuse. If Joe walked into a living room and was asked how much they would be paid he would simply not recruit them anymore. What JS did in his "personal time" isnt really the same

It's not apples to apples, but I'm just saying be careful because that's the same argument people used about Joe. He was a control freak. Knew everything going on with his players, coaches, etc.

 

[royboy]

I know someone close to Michigan State basketball. Few years ago they lost some big time recruits to Duke. Let's just say it was very fishy...

Yeah, there you go....unsubstantiated third-hand rumors that don't even identify an individual player.

Clearly, it must mean illegal payments.

For fair disclosure, I'm a Duke guy and have followed Coach K's career very closely. I don't believe he is cheating, and I don't put much stock in such flimsy accusations. Unfortunately, one thing about scandals is they cast doubt even on those within the sport who are clean.