FBI College Basketball Investigation

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20824193/ncaa-basketball-coaches-10-charged-fraud-corruption

What a good time to not be one of the big boys, right? I think this whole issue is much deeper than the few people charged in this. These were the low hanging fruit that the FBI could get right now.

Possibly: RIP South Carolina's Final Four season. RIP Rick Pitino as Louisville head coach.

SouthCarolinaPilot wrote:http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20824193/ncaa-basketball-coaches-10-charged-fraud-corruption

Ctrl-F Portland

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Phew!

Well, none of this can be true, as Louisville Men's basketball coach Rick Pitino today expressed "complete shock" that Louisville is involved in the federal investigation into fraud and corruption in recruiting.....so there you have it!!

Although, late today a series of federal criminal complaints accuse at least one coach at a "public research university located in Kentucky" -- identified as Louisville -- of taking part in a scheme to funnel about $100,000 from Adidas company to an All-American high school player that the Cardinals were recruiting.

As I recall, Louisville is currently on four year's probation by the NCAA because of ineligible players participating in games, and Pitino is facing a suspension by the college's governing body following a sex scandal investigation that revealed that escorts were hired to strip and have sex with Louisville recruits and players....a "complete shock" to Pitino.

This whole probe has eaten away at my day. Our whole department was buzzing about it.

Since Louisville is already on probation, the NCAA has the right to use the “you know what” penalty on Louisville if the allegations are true and the NCAA decides to step in. I doubt they will, given their recent timidness to punish serious misconduct.

What is impressive about this is that the FBI is leading this investigation, which could lead to jail time instead of scholarship reductions and post season bans. The FBI has clearly been investigating for a while right underneath the NCAA’s noses. Not a good look for the NCAA today or the institution of college basketball.

I already spent all of Monday talking about the NFL protests this last weekend. Looks like I might lose another day to this. The benefits/drawbacks of teaching sport ethics.

SouthCarolinaPilot wrote:What is impressive about this is that the FBI is leading this investigation, which could lead to jail time instead of scholarship reductions and post season bans. The FBI has clearly been investigating for a while right underneath the NCAA’s noses. Not a good look for the NCAA today or the institution of college basketball.

Probably just a coincidence, but I've been told people were carrying boxes to a couple of white unmarked vans that were parked in front of Portland's Adidas Headquarters today.

Shoot, the security around the trucks were probably just there to guard against anyone stealing Damian Lillard's new shipment of Adidas basketball shoes.....

(That's not meant to disparage Damian, he's one of my few favorite professional players, but he's the only one I could think of off the top of my head that has Adidas sponsorship).

DoubleDipper wrote:Well, none of this can be true, as Louisville Men's basketball coach Rick Pitino today expressed "complete shock" that Louisville is involved in the federal investigation into fraud and corruption in recruiting.....so there you have it!!

Although, late today a series of federal criminal complaints accuse at least one coach at a "public research university located in Kentucky" -- identified as Louisville -- of taking part in a scheme to funnel about $100,000 from Adidas company to an All-American high school player that the Cardinals were recruiting.

As I recall, Louisville is currently on four year's probation by the NCAA because of ineligible players participating in games, and Pitino is facing a suspension by the college's governing body following a sex scandal investigation that revealed that escorts were hired to strip and have sex with Louisville recruits and players....a "complete shock" to Pitino.

I'm surprised it took almost 24 hours for Pitino to be fired. If there was ever a time for the death penalty, this would be it.

Time to revisit this one: https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-college-hoops-corruption-case-poised-take-hall-fame-coaches-top-programs-lottery-picks-224417174.html

Pete Thamel wrote:When this all comes out, Hall of Fame coaches should be scared, lottery picks won’t be eligible to play and almost half of the 16 teams the NCAA showed on its initial NCAA tournament show this weekend should worry about their appearance being vacated.

...there’s potentially as many 50 college basketball programs that could end up compromised in some way.

Unrelated to the FBI investigation, but the NCAA denied Louisville's appeal of their ruling regarding the recruiting scandal from before the FBI came in. Louisville's 2013 title will be now awarded to the newly created college: "Vacated." Congrats to Vacated on their first national championship! This is the first vacated national championship in the "Final Four era" (quotes, because I am not sure what that means exactly).

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22513517/ncaa-denies-louisville-appeal-rules-cardinals-vacate-2013-national-title

Not even close to the first vacated championships.

Howard’s and our own WCC USF men’s soccer programs were the first two, in 1971 and 1978, respectively.

Arizona coach Sean Miller did not coach their game at Oregon Satruday after reports he was wiretapped discussing a $100,000 payment to secure Deandre Ayton's enrollment.
https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2018/2/24/17048134/sean-miller-arizona-fbi-investigation-deandre-ayton

No matter how this works out, have you seen Deandre Ayton?  Good grief.  He is a 19 year old 7'1" 250# freshman who looks like an experienced NBA player.


How do we recruit guys like that (honestly)?

Rethink the academic expectations and standards, perhaps?

A connection with a Mercedes dealership is key.