Memphis Having a Little Deja UMass

It is a coincidence.

Besides nothing ever was proven or even suggested by the NCAA that John Calipari even knew what Marcus Camby was up to at UMass. Just like there is nothing at this point to indicate that Calipari was aware of the things the NCAA is now accusing Memphis.

The NCAA is accusing the Memphis Tigers with failure to monitor with regards to actions relating to the 2007-08 season in which the Tigers went to the Final Four. While the name of the key player has been redacted the letter from the NCAA indicates that the player, "subsequently competed during the 2007-08 season and specifically the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship." In other words, Derrick Rose.

The general attitude of Kentucky fans, you can expect, will be that John Calipari is not being accused of anything. Of even knowing anything. That this is on Memphis and their athletic department and their oversight. Sure, the NCAA wants Calipari at the hearing, but that is only because he was the head coach at the time. What happened in Memphis stays in Memphis.

Memphis fans might take some grim satisfaction in that rhetoric from Kentucky fans. After all, it was very much the same thing they said when Calipari came to Memphis. The UMass stuff may have happened on Calipari's watch, but it was not his doing.

They passionately defended and protected Calipari when he was there. He was just the best recruiter. Rumors and unverified accusations of malfeasance against Calipari were from jealous fans and coaches from other programs. Nothing more. Nothing proven.

Ultimately next to nothing will likely happen to Calipari from the NCAA. Rose is denying any wrong-doing, and much like O.J. Mayo with USC, has little incentive to cooperate with the NCAA investigation beyond proclaiming his innocence. Plenty of deniability for Calipari.

Memphis will take the hit, just as UMass did. Like Rhode Island and then Georgia later paid the price for grabbing Jim Harrick. They all took their chances and rationalized things since at the times of the hires, there was nothing actually incriminating sticking to Harrick. Just rumors and veiled accusations.

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Pall bearers prepare to unload the casket of Wayman Tisdale during his funeral, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Tulsa, Okla. The former University of Oklahoma basketball star and popular jazz musician died last week after a long battle with cancer. He was 44. (AP Photo/Tom Gilbert)

The hearse carrying the casket of Wayman Tisdale moves through Tulsa, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Tulsa, Okla. The former University of Oklahoma basketball star and popular jazz musician died last week after a long battle with cancer. He was 44. (AP Photo/Shane Bevel)

John Wall, flanked by his sister Tonya Pulley and Dr. Frank Summerfield, formally announced during a press conference on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, that he would attend the University of Kentucky next fall to play basketball. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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John Wall formally announced during a press conference on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, that he would attend the University of Kentucky next fall to play basketball. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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John Wall laughs with his sister Tonya Pulley during a press conference on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, where he announced he would attend the University of Kentucky next fall to play basketball. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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Word of God Christian Academy's point guard John Wall discusses his decision to commit to playing basketball at Kentucky during a news conference in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Word of God Christian Academy's point guard John Wall, center, discusses his decision to commit to playing basketball at Kentucky during a news conference in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 20, 2009. At left is Word of God Christian Academy's Dr. Frank Summerfield and at right is Wall's sister Tonya Pulley. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Word of God Christian Academy's point guard John Wall, right, and Dr. Frank Summerfield discuss Wall's decision to commit to playing college basketball at Kentucky during a news conference in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Word of God Christian Academy's point guard John Wall discusses his decision to commit to playing college basketball at Kentucky during a news conference in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)