NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Why Some Surprises Aren't Shocking

David Steele — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Syracuse, UCLA, Alabama

The roll call of eye-popping scores began with the start of the college basketball season. And there's a chance they won't slow down soon, for an important reason: this time, the names on the front of the jerseys tell less of a story than the names on the back.

The opening week's finals look like someone's idea of a joke. The opening acts, in exhibition season, should have warned everybody: LeMoyne 82, Syracuse 79, and Georgia Tech 84, Indiana (Pa.) 76 in overtime. Then, when the games counted: Texas-San Antonio 62, Iowa 50. Cornell 71, Alabama 67. Wofford 60, Georgia 57. Rider 88, Mississippi State 74. Cal State-Fullerton 68, UCLA 65 in two overtimes.

None of that includes Kentucky 72, Miami of Ohio 70, in Game Two of the John Calipari Era in Lexington; if not for freshman John Wall's heroics in, literally, the final second, that era would have been a carbon-copy of the start of the now-infamous Billy Gillispie Era (loss at home to Gardner-Webb in his second game).

Calipari, however, waited until Game Three to inadvertently get to the root of the November surprises: they shouldn't really be surprises. After seeing his team follow up its surrender of 15 3-pointers to Miami with 18 more in a win over Sam Houston State Thursday, the coach was steaming. "This may be, at this point, the worst defensive team I have had since 1988 (at Massachusetts),'' he said. "I was so mad a couple of times, my head almost popped off.

"I love my team, and we have a chance to be good, but we also have a chance of being bad if we don't start changing some things.''

Calipari, of course, had dropped broad hints since the start of practice that his freshman-laden, fourth-ranked team has a lot of learning to do, and that the win total might not match what Kentucky followers take for granted. The early upsets and narrow escapes by the big-name teams in the major conferences indicate that Calipari is far from alone. At a lot of programs, reputations precede accomplishments, even potential.

Take two of Kentucky's Southeastern Conference brethren who took early beatings -- both, realistically, should have been expected. Both Georgia and Alabama made well-documented coaching changes in midseason last year, brought in new head men this season, have gutted rosters, and are consensus picks to be among the worst in the conference this season. Losing to, respectively, Wofford and Cornell is par for the course.

"Honestly, I think we caught them at a good time, while Coach (Anthony) Grant is still trying to get his stuff in,'' Cornell coach Steve Donahue admitted after the win in Tuscaloosa. The two leading scorers that night, Ryan Wittman and Jeff Foote, were both seniors combining for 40 of the Big Red's 71 points.

Wofford, meanwhile, had five starters returning from a 16-win team last season; Georgia's roster features eight freshmen and sophomores, and one of the few seniors expected to lead, forward Albert Jackson, injured his left wrist in preseason practice and played only three minutes against the Terriers.

The examples abound. UCLA had suffered heavy talent losses the last two seasons, since the end of its run of three straight Final Fours. Iowa, meanwhile, has had a talent drain since head coach Steve Alford departed to New Mexico, and Todd Lickliter, the hot name from Butler at the time he was hired in 2007, is 0-2 after falling to Duquesne. Iowa, with nine freshmen and sophomores, next faces No. 3 Texas in a now much-less stellar matchup in the CBE Classic in Kansas City Monday.

Of course, the table was set for this kind of start to the season by the exhibition shocker heard 'cross the country, LeMoyne's victory in the Carrier Dome. And the pattern holds there, too: Syracuse lost four key players, including NBA draftee Jonny Flynn, and is importing a ton of newcomers. The Orange apparently learned fast, heading into Friday's Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic championship game against No. 6 North Carolina with three regular-season wins by an average of 31.3 points -- including Thursday's throttling of 13th-ranked Cal, whose coach, Mike Montgomery, had said going into the game, "I don't think any of us are as good as we are going to be later on.''

Syracuse's opponent Friday is in the same boat, and like Calipari, Roy Williams has gone past preaching patience and into pleading for it. As the games in Madison Square Garden approached, he wondered when he'd discover a go-to player down the stretch to replace the NBA-ticketed quartet of last season: "It'll be interesting to see who will do it when they're geared to stop you when the game's on the line.''

And no one can explain what happened to defending SEC tournament champion Mississippi State, all its returning talent (some of it which dipped a toe into the NBA Draft waters last offseason) and its lofty preseason ranking. Rider does have four starters back from a team that won 19 games and played postseason ball (the CBI, for what that's worth). The Bulldogs have five starters returning.

Bulldog forward Kodi Augustus spoke for the entire college basketball nation when he said: "This is Rider. (We're) preseason ranked No. 18 in the country. We're not supposed to lose our first game, home opener. Wow. It's crazy."

That one, yes, is crazy. The others that seem so crazy at first glance ... not so much. If those scores surface two or three months for now, though, crazy would fit.

Of course, that's assuming another surprise evolves Saturday ... when Rider plays at Kentucky.

Why Some Surprises Aren't Shocking originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wall Saves Wildcats in Kentucky Debut

Ray Holloman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Mid-Majors

When John Calipari accepted the Kentucky coaching job, he warned that there are no easy solutions in college basketball. At the time, it was like telling a state full of lottery winners about the value of sound investment strategies.

Thank Miami University for proving your point, Coach.

And thank John Wall for reminding Wildcats fans just why they were so darn excited in the first place.

Wall scored 19 points, including the biggest two of the season, a 15-foot jumper with less than a second left that lifted the No. 4 Wildcats to a 72-70 win over the Redhawks, narrowly avoiding the first major upset of the college basketball season.
"It felt good to make a shot like thatand I just have to have confidence to make those and I did," Wall said.

For the freshman point guard, who was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for Kentucky's regular-season opener, it was a debut that lived up even to the addled expectations of Kentucky basketball. The Raleigh (N.C.) point guard led the team in points, handed out five assists and pulled down five rebounds in a game-high 38 minutes.

But the Wildcats still had to sweat the finish.

Miami jumped out to a 36-18 lead 13 minutes in, before an 18-3 Kentucky run trimmed the margin to three points heading into halftime. But the Redhawks didn't turn blue in front of a nervous Rupp Arena crowd. Kentucky couldn't't regain the lead until 7:24 remaining, 54-52, and could never pull away. A 3-pointer by Miami's Kenny Hayes -- one of four long-range hits for Hayes -- tied the game with six seconds left before Wall darted up the left side of the court for the game-winning jumper.

Unlike Friday night, when the Wildcats shot 4-19 from 3-point range in a 75-59 win over Morehead State, the problem wasn't connecting from beyond the arc, it was defending behind it. The Redhawks hit 15-of-26 3-pointers, including eight by Nick Winbush, a Rupp Arena record for a UK opponent.

"For us to win a game when they go 15-for-26 from the 3-point line, I can't believe we won the game," Calipari said to open his press conference, once again staging a rout at the dais even if his team didn't on the floor.

And through it all, Calipari couldn't help but be smile, at least a little. Even if Kentucky fans bit through every fingernail in the BIg Blue Nation.

"We were down 18 with a freshman team," Calpiari said. "And every time that we did something they just took the air out of our sails by making a shot. We still won the game.

"I think that any time that you can be tested like this is good for your team."

Calipari will have no trouble finding things to work on. His team shot just 56 percent from the free throw line -- an eery echo of his best Memphis teams -- and he blamed much of the early deficit to passive defense.

And it was entirely expected -- if not necessarily against the 0-2 Redhawks -- even for a team that has star recruits keeping the Gatorade company. With a seven-man rotation made up of four freshman, two sophomores and graybeard junior Patrick Patterson, the Wildcats will occasionally struggle. And they'll be brilliant. And by March they'll have as good a chance as anyone to bring home another national title.

All of which will make Calipari's original goal of keeping expectations in check still awfully difficult. The dribble-drive motion might've replaced evolution in Kentucky school books, but tamping down expectations in a basketball mad state is a trick that's probably beyond even Calipari.

Fortunately for the coach, who narrowly avoided the same type of ill-fated home upset that plagued his predeccessor Billy Gillispie -- Gillipsie lost to Gardner-Webb in 2007 -- all that talent ensured he at least didn't have to explain a loss as well.

There was Wall and backcourt mate Darnell Dodson scoring 27 in the backcourt. Frontcourt stars DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson both added double-doubles for the Wildcats.

And Calipari made the game's final point. In college basketball, there are no easy answers.

Wall Saves Wildcats in Kentucky Debut originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK Hopes Calipari's Debut Not So Blue

David Steele — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky

Kentucky is used to the madness surrounding the official debut of a new basketball coach, even a new big-name, highly touted, expectation-driving coach. It's just not used to the madness taking place twice in three years.

The fact that the implosion of the coach he's replacing is so fresh in the Kentucky faithful's memory, seems not to be bothering John Calipari -- but signs are that he isn't blissfully ignorant of it, either. He takes the court at Rupp Arena Friday evening for the first time as Wildcats coach in a game that counts, against Morehead State, and the anticipation is as high for this night as it was two years ago when Billy Gillispie, the savior from Texas A&M, did the same thing.

Gillispie's downward spiral began not long afterward, of course, with the now- (and then-) infamous loss at home to Gardner-Webb in the second game of the 2007-08 season.

It likely will be forever part of Kentucky lore, inasmuch as many are trying hard to forget Gillispie's tenure. And it adds extra spice to a game that, even without it, will soak up most of the attention on the first big night of college basketball across the country.

It could be a clever ploy to temper the expectations this time around and avoid a disaster of those proportions, but since practice began last month Calipari -- the savior from Memphis and, in a previous incarnation, Massachusetts -- has stressed learning and growth instead of victories. As this game approached, he continually pointed out the fact that it was in-state foe Morehead State, not the team he inherited, that reached the NCAA tournament last season, from the Ohio Valley Conference. Kentucky, of course, saw its streak of 17 straight NCAA tournament trips end last season.

On Thursday, he sought to dismiss the notion that his team, picked by many to reach the Final Four and led by a consensus preseason All-American in forward Patrick Patterson, will face glorified scrimmages early on, that the real challenges aren't for at least a couple of more weeks (the Wildcats could play Stanford in a Thanksgiving tournament in Cancun, and definitely face North Carolina and Connecticut in a five-day span in early December). He went as far as to say that beginning 0-2 -- which would mean falling to Morehead State and then to Miami of Ohio at home Monday -- would not be as disastrous for a basketball team as it would be for a football team.

"We're going in with an attitude of, 'Let's play our best. Let's play and do what we do, and whatever comes out, let's learn from it,'' Calipari said. "If I see a great effort and an experienced team beats us because we couldn't do X, Y and Z, we'll learn and move on."

One serious reason for enthusiasms to be cooled for the opener is the absence of freshman guard John Wall, who will serve the final game of his two-game suspension for what the NCAA ruled were improper benefits from his AAU coach. Wall has lived up to the considerable hype so far; he scored 27 points in virtually every way imaginable in the Wildcats' exhibition rout of Division II Clarion last week. He is expected to be in the starting lineup for the next big Lexington debut, his own, on Monday.

After the exhibition game, Wall proved he had the company line, via the head coach, down pat: "We still have a long way to go from where we are today,'' he said.

The idea is contagious. Said newcomer Darnell Dodson, when asked if Calipari had stressed a fast start to the season, "He really hasn't said too much about that. He just wants us to go out there and do the best of our abilities and we'll come out victorious.''

The rest of Wall's heralded freshman teammates are expected to play, including guard Eric Bledsoe and forward Daniel Orton; Bledsoe sat out the Clarion game with an injured ankle but will start in Wall's place at the point Friday. Orton bruised his chest but returned to practice Thursday. Guard Jon Hood, forward DeMarcus Cousins and Dodson, the junior college transfer from Florida, are the other members of the recruiting class that is universally ranked No. 1 in the nation and, more than anything else, is the reason for the high national ranking and the anticipation surrounding the program.

Even with that, however, it was impossible to overlook the letdown of the last two seasons -- besides coughing up the game to Gardner-Webb two years ago, Kentucky lost the season-opener last season to VMI. Both losses were seen at the time as bad omens, and they turned out to be exactly that. Understandably, Calipari distanced himself and the program from that, even with four players remaining from the Gardner-Webb disaster, including Patterson, then a freshman.

"Well, this is a different team. This is a totally different deal,'' Calipari said. On the other hand, he said, despite the buildup accompanying Friday and, certainly, every game this season, he and his players are not running away from it. "You know what? That's why you come here,'' he said. "I looked at our team and I said, 'You guys know why you came to Kentucky. You weren't afraid of it. You came here because you wanted to do something special.'

"I obviously accepted this position because I understand what the expectations are,'' he added.

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North Carolina State's Javier Gonzalez (10) drives to the basket against Georgia State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. N.C. State won 69-53. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

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North Carolina State's Tracy Smith, right, is fouled by Georgia State's Ousman Krubally (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. N.C. State won 69-53. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

North Carolina State's Tracy Smith, center, is fouled while being defended by Georgia State's Joe Dukes (2) and Dante Curry (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. N.C. State won 69-53. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

** ALTERNATE CROP OF NCRAL205 ** North Carolina State's Tracy Smith, center, is fouled while being defended by Georgia State's Joe Dukes (2) and Dante Curry (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. N.C. State won 69-53. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

North Carolina State's Dennis Horner, right, puts pressure on Georgia State's Ousman Krubally (24) during the first half. North Carolna State defeated Georgia State, 69-53, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, November 12, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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North Carolina State's Javier Gonzalez (10) drives to the basket during second-half action against Georgia State. North Carolna State defeated Georgia State, 69-53, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, November 12, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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North Carolina State's Julius Mays (24) shoots between two Georgia State defenders during second-half action. North Carolna State defeated Georgia State, 69-53, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, November 12, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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North Carolina State's Javier Gonzalez (10) drives to the basket during the second half against Georgia State. North Carolna State defeated Georgia State, 69-53, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, November 12, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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North Carolina State's Tracy Smith (23) looks for room as Georgia State's James Fields (4) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

North Carolina State's Javier Gonzalez, right, steals the ball from Georgia State's Joe Dukes during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

UK Hopes Calipari's Debut Not So Blue originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Never a Dull Moment for SEC Coaches

Chas Rich — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, SEC, Coaches

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive might have been hoping that when college football season ends, he would not have to be issuing weekly warnings to his high profile coaches to watch their mouths. But it looks more like he will be chiding coaches some time into April.

The addition of John Calipari at Kentucky means the SEC coaching family gatherings promise to be more entertaining. Calipari has never been one to build warm relationships with other coaches in his conference (right, John Chaney?). His soured relationship with Rick Pitino should make his meetings with Florida's Billy Donovan more interesting.

The warm and special relationship that was built during his time at Memphis, with Tennessee's Bruce Pearl will undoubtedly produce the most entertainment. .
As Calipari made no secret of his feelings at SEC basketball media day.

"He was trying to take over the state, and I wasn't going to let him," said Calipari. "I conceded the rest of the state other than Memphis.

"I'm not recruiting Knoxville, you're recruiting Memphis; that's why I didn't want to play him in a home-and-home (series)," Calipari said, his audience swelling as he spoke. "What good does it do for me to go to Knoxville, other than to play in front of 22,000 people in orange ... I can't stand the color."

Which should make his trip to Knoxville as well as Florida, for that matter, a little more spicy.

Pearl, who always seems to enjoy any and all attention played the good sport.

"Why would he like orange? I think that's great," Pearl said. "I said when I took this job I wanted Kentucky to be my rival. If we're not competitive, it's not a rivalry."

Then there is Kevin Stallings at Vanderbilt to declare his lack of interest in public shots by coaches -- after he fired one.

"I don't agree with all the things Bruce does, or John will do ..." Stallings said. "I don't want to be out there publicly feuding with other coaches.

"If John and Bruce want to square off and have a 12-rounder, I'm sure people will pay attention to it. A little bit of that is probably good for the league."

Safe to say that SEC basketball is going to be a lot more entertaining this year. On and off the court.

Never a Dull Moment for SEC Coaches originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Gillispie Admits to DUI

Chas Rich — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Coaches

Twice before in his life, Billy Gillispie had been accused of drunk driving. He avoided an actual admission and penalties the first couple of times. The third time was the not quite the charm as the former Kentucky coach pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Anderson County District Court in Kentucky.

Gillispie limited most of his responses to the judge to one word answers. He received a sentence similar to most first-time offenders in Kentucky. A 30-day suspension of his driver's license, a fine plus all court costs and being required to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program.

Gillispie was arrested in August for DUI. A couple weeks after that, he entered a rehab program in Texas. Whether Gillispie is truly addressing what appears to be a serious issue, is unclear. Gillispie has not spoken to anyone in the media since the arrest. He didn't speak to anyone at the courthouse, and the statement he released through his attorney does nothing to clarify things.

"I made a mistake and admitted my mistake today to Judge Armstrong, and I accept the penalty she has imposed," Gillispie said in the statement. "I want to apologize to the people of Kentucky, my family and friends, and I want to thank all of those who have reached out to me over the past several months with kind words of encouragement and support."

Eventually, if he wants to be a head coach again, he will have to speak publicly and address whether he sees this as an isolated mistake or part of a larger problem he has to face.

Billy Gillispie Admits to DUI originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky Will Have to Wait Two More Weeks for John Wall

Chas Rich — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC

Oh, the uber-talented guard is practicing and with the Wildcats and impressing all who see John Wall play. It's just that the NCAA has suspended him for the first two games. Well, an exhibition and the season opener. So it is more like 1.5 games. Wall will miss the exhibition game against NAIA Campbellsville on Monday, November 2. He will also miss the season opener with Morehead State. That means his debut will be on November 16 against Miami (Ohio).

Wall's eligibility was called into question because his AAU coach/adviser/future entourage and hanger-on Brian Clifton had also been failing to be an NBA agent while Wall was being recruited as a high school junior. Clifton had helped pay for some of Wall's travel expenses for unofficial visits to schools. Wall also has to repay Clifton almost $800.

Somehow, Kentucky should be able to find a way to get past those first two opponents without Wall.

Kentucky Will Have to Wait Two More Weeks for John Wall originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky's Wall's Eligility in Doubt

FanHouse Newswire — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:51:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky

John Calipari's tenure at Kentucky will likely begin the same way his tenure at Memphis ended, with an NCAA investigation into the eligibility of his point guard.

According to an ESPN report, the NCAA is investigating the eligibility of Wildcat freshman John Wall. At issue is whether benefits from his AAU coach, who is also licensed as an agent by FIBA, should be considered illegal and therefore threaten Wall's amateur status.

Should Wall be found guilty of accepting illegal benefits, he would be forced to pay back the amount before becoming eligible at Kentucky and could face further punishment.

If the amount owed is greater than $101, Wall would be forced to miss 10 percent of Kentucky's games.
Wall's AAU coach, Brian Clifton, told CBSSports.com that he did have an agent's license, but forfeited in 2008 to concentrate on Wall's future. But, according to the ESPN report, Kentucky officials are concentrating on a pair of unofficial visits made by Wall in the fall of 2007.

Earlier in the summer, Kentucky self-reported athletes who were getting comped at a local restaurant. None of the amounts in that case surpassed $100 and thus did not effect eligibility.

If Kentucky were to lose Wall for any significant period of time, they could turn to the nation's No. 3 ranked point guard in last year's high school class, Eric Bledsoe.

Kentucky opens its season Friday, the 13th, against Morehead State.

Kentucky's Wall's Eligility in Doubt originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gillispie Goes Halfsies With Kentucky

Chas Rich — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:07:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, Coaches

No one really expected ex-Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie's lawsuit against Kentucky for breach of contract to ever make it to trial. Neither side really wanted everything in the open court, and dragging into the actual college basketball season.

So it was not a real surprise that the parties agreed to mediation and a settlement was reached for roughly half of the $6 million dollars in dispute. Gillispie gets $2.98 million and his attorney and mediation costs paid by Kentucky. Or roughly one-tenth of the amount Kentucky is paying John Calipari over the next eight years.

Gillispie gets to put one more aspect of his time in Kentucky behind him. Arguably that was the easiest item. He still has to sell his house in a bad real estate market and settle that DUI charge.

Gillispie Goes Halfsies With Kentucky originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Honor Calipari's Tarnished Legacy?

David Steele — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Memphis, UMass, A-10, Coaches

"The University of Massachusetts Club reflects the diversity, professional character, and camaraderie among distinguished alumni, and their pride and passion for the University.''

So says the welcome page on the website of the Boston-based private members-only club, consisting of "alumni, faculty, staff and friends'' of UMass.

And as far as the club is concerned, there's no need to edit that statement or re-consider its definition of "professional character'' or "distinguished'' based on who it was scheduled to honor Friday evening: John Calipari.

If it's all cool with the UMass Club, with UMass, with Calipari and with the basketball program besmirched under his tenure, then nobody really has a right to complain.

Except maybe the NCAA, whose disciplinary sanctions against its rogue programs apparently strike something far less than fear in their hearts. More like mild indigestion, after too many happy-hour cocktails at the ol' alumni club. But we'll get to them in a minute.

Coach Cal is one of the two guests of honor for the "Celebrate UMass Basketball'' event Friday. What's being celebrated most, apparently, is the 1996 Final Four team coached by Calipari. What might not make it into the remarks, by anybody much less Calipari, is the fact that the results that season were vacated by the NCAA after a scandal revolving around Marcus Camby getting paid by an agent. The fact that Calipari's next Final Four team, at Memphis 12 years later, also saw its position vacated because of an SAT scandal, likely won't come up either. However, Calipari's new book, Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life (co-written by David Scott, coincidentally a UMass alumnus), will get lots of play.

So good for Coach Cal, who despite the two egregious violations of the rules on his watch has yet to have any dirt officially rub off on him, and who has parlayed the Memphis success (so to speak) into the most prestigious coaching gig in America, Kentucky. He'll sell a lot of books in his old stomping grounds, spread a lot of goodwill and, apparently, soak up a lot of love, regardless of the price paid for him and the school to attain it all. It's not as if he would have, or should have, turned the invitation down.

Which means, also, good for UMass, which is proving it has either a short memory, a massive capacity for forgiveness, or an utter disregard for the means to the end, as long as the end includes a nice banner hanging in the field house. Whatever the case, the school has made up its mind on what the word "vacated'' means, and doesn't care what anyone else thinks it means.

But what could the NCAA be thinking right now? They're gazing upon this scene from Indianapolis, at all the back-slapping, reminiscing and book-signing in honor of a program the NCAA had to drop a huge hammer onto years ago. And it's happening in the name of the university itself (although, to repeat, this is a private club without official ties to Amherst).

What next, a parade in Dallas to honor the SMU football team that got the death penalty? A formal ball in Lexington to celebrate the day the overnight envelope stuffed with cash split open? A party at the Dillard's in Tallahassee during Florida State's homecoming weekend? A hot-tub bash at UNLV?

One can only guess what Memphis might plan for Calipari if (or when) the book tour comes through that town. Maybe a big fund-raising raffle, with the winner taking the next blue-chip recruit's entrance exam for him.

Heck, as long as you're going to spit in the eye of the governing body for intercollegiate sports, you might as well do it right.

Why Honor Calipari's Tarnished Legacy? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Gillispie in Rehab, Source Confirms

Terrance Harris — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, FanHouse Exclusive

Former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie has checked himself into the John Lucas After Care Program in Houston to help fight his alcohol addiction, a source close to the former head coach confirmed to FanHouse on Wednesday.

Gillispie, who was dismissed as the Wildcats coach after last season, was arrested on his third known DUI charge last month in Kentucky

"He didn't have a whole lot of choices," the source told FanHouse. "Either [go to] Lucas or go to Betty Ford or somewhere. This is the best PR move Billy Clyde can make."

Indeed Gillispie needs all the help can get. While still embroiled in a suit with the Kentucky for the remaining pay of his unsigned contract, Gillispie would have been in line for some high-profile openings based on his accomplishments both at UT-El Paso and A&M.

But his latest DUI charge might scare away some quality programs that were prepared to line up for his services after next season. Gillispie was also arrested on DUI charges in 1999 while an assistant coach at Tulsa and then in 2003 during his first season as head coach at UTEP. Those two arrests ended in virtual wrist slaps.

Checking into Lucas' rehabilitation center, however, could go a long way in rebuilding the trust of some athletic directors and college presidents. Lucas, a former addict himself, has helped several former and current NBA players fight addiction.

Billy Gillispie in Rehab, Source Confirms originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Gillispie Reportedly Enters Rehab

Chas Rich — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, Coaches, Media Watch

The rumors have long swirled among message boards and others that former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie enjoyed the alcoholic beverages a little too much. Following his third arrest in his head coaching career for drunk driving (still no convictions, though) Gillispie seems to have reached a point that he has to admit that he has a problem.

Gillispie has checked himself in to the John Lucas After Care Program in Houston, according to WKYL TV. Lucas was a former NBA coach and player that famously battled addictions for years and eventually began running one of the most popular rehab programs for athletes and coaches.

Gillispie probably had little choice at this point. Even if Gillispie does not truly believe he has a problem, he probably needs to do this from a legal and professional perspective. Gillispie is more likely to be able to work something out over his latest arrest if he can show that he is dealing with his problem.

Yet this is even more important for his coaching career. Between the way things ended in Kentucky, the lawsuit regarding his contract (or lack thereof), and the multiple arrests for drunk driving, his coaching career was abruptly circling the drain. He needs to show prospective employers -- whether it is the athletic director of a school or a head coach that will hire him as an assistant -- that he is serious about addressing his issues with alcohol. A school would be hard-pressed to take a chance on Gillispie if he was unrepentant and unwilling to admit a problem. It's much easier to publicly support a figure that appears to be dealing with his problem.

Billy Gillispie Reportedly Enters Rehab originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Gillispie Drives Career Off Road With DUI Arrest

Chas Rich — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:08:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, Coaches, Police Blotter

For Billy Gillispie, the road out of Kentucky isn't getting any easier. Gillispie, who was fired in April after two seasons as Wildcats coach, was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

According to a report by a Lexington television station, Lawrenceburg, Ky., police pulled Gillispie over at 2:45 AM Thursday morning. The 50-year-old coach, who said he was returning from a golf outing, refused to take a breathalyzer or blood test.

This is the third time that Gillispie has been charged with a DUI. He was charged with it in 1999 in Oklahoma, and pleaded down to a lesser charge. In 2003 he was arrested in El Paso, Texas on suspicion of of drunk driving, but the charges were later dropped.

For Gillispie, the formula should've been simple.

Lay low for a year, rehabilitate his image in the media and smooth over the rough edges of his departure from Kentucky. Try to get things quietly settled over the whole contract/no-contract/buyout stuff. Then wait for the offers to come next spring.

But this is not the way for another coach living in Kentucky to try and grab headlines from Rick Pitino and John Calipari.

Gillispie may beat the charge or he may plead guilty to some lesser offense. That is irrelevant to his coaching future. Combine this with his prickly personality and poor relationship with the media while at Kentucky and you have a coach that has done some serious damage to his future.

He can forget about a major conference team being willing to take a chance on him for a while. He will be lucky to get interest from a mid-tier mid-major for the foreseeable future. His coaching acumen and recruiting skills have never been doubted. Everything else, though, is a wreck.

Billy Gillispie Drives Career Off Road With DUI Arrest originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCAA Tells Memphis 2008 Was Just Like 1985: It Never Happened

Chas Rich — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:51:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Memphis, Conference USA, SEC, Coaches, Media Watch

For the second time in his career, John Calipari may again be the best coach never to have been to a Final Four, at least according to the NCAA.

According to sources that leaked it to most major sports media and the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Tigers will be forced to vacate their 2008 Final Four appearance and the 38 wins they had in the 2007-08 season. That, at least will be the decision of the NCAA Rules and Infractions Committee.

This, of course, will be the second Final Four appearance by a Calipari coached team to be vacated due to player eligibility issues -- something that is singularly unique to Calipari, and not accomplished by any other coach. Not in a way, though, that will enhance his resume. The odds are that the basketball Hall of Fame will not be calling on him soon.

The 1996 UMass squad had their appearance also vacated because of the eligibility of Marcus Camby. His eligibility had been compromised for accepting cash and gifts from a street agent. Like the UMass affair, John Calipari was not found to be at fault, and had already left for a bigger contract.

This is also the second time Memphis has had a Final Four appearance vacated. Its 1985 appearance in the Final Four under Dana Kirk was also vacated due to numerous NCAA violations.

The only good news for Memphis is that there do not appear to be any penalties going forward on the program. Memphis and new coach Josh Pastner can attempt to rebuild from the rubble of a Calipari departure and NCAA investigation without a postseason ban or loss of scholarships.

John Calipari, of course, is ensconced safely in Kentucky with a top-10 preseason team and a huge new contract. Derrick Rose is happily playing in the NBA with his hometown Chicago Bulls.

NCAA Tells Memphis 2008 Was Just Like 1985: It Never Happened originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rick Pitino's PR Team and the $3,000 Lie

Clay Travis — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Louisville, Big East, Coaches, Police Blotter

Every time news breaks, like the Rick Pitino imbroglio did Tuesday night, I always feel a little twinge of sympathy for the lawyer who ends up hurling a semantic argument into the whirlwind of 24-hour news coverage. These days news coverage has room for two opinions: you're right or you're wrong. The shades-of-gray approach doesn't sell.

But that doesn't mean lawyers don't try to split hairs. Think Bill Clinton asking what the meaning of is, is. Inevitably, these hair-splitting defenses blow up. Which brings me to this, according to his lawyer, Rick Pitino didn't pay for Karen Sypher's abortion. Heavens no. What he did was pay for an uninsured woman to get health coverage .... which she then, oh by the way, used to have an abortion. That's a great story except for one flaw, pregnancy is a preexisting condition. So adding health insurance doesn't cover an already existing pregnancy.

Oops.

Bad excuse. But not as bad as the 10 excuses for the $3,000 the legal team considered and rejected. Read on for those.

At moments of crisis like these, I always picture the frenzied public relations team -- which represents a variety of conflicting interests, the university, the coach, the lawyer -- all huddling together to come up with a response that minimizes the damage for everyone. You've got to make sure you repent while protecting yourself from further legal liability, apologize while being humble, and whatever you do, don't take a question.

Don't take questions is the first advice any lawyer gives in these circumstances. I attended a legal seminar about how to deal with media interest for famous clients and the only quote I remember from the entire day was one white-haired lawyer slamming his hand down on the table. "Whatever you do, don't let the damn client take questions. Read the statement and get out."

Not surprisingly, Pitino read his statement and got out without taking questions. Which means we still have an awful lot of things left to be unpacked here. Among them, how can you be certain you're pregnant in two weeks? How can you be so careful in your personal life that you have a designated driver, yet so reckless that you have sex in a restaurant while your designated driver is still there? How many other college coaches are reading these stories right now and thinking, crap, this happened six years ago, I thought I was in the clear. Speaking of which, why not keep paying the extortion fee? The amount of money that Karen Sypher was demanding is miniscule given what Pitino made. Yeah, the truth can set you free, but it can also get you fired. So I guess the truth, more accurately, can get you free time.

Can you imagine the e-mails Kentucky politicians are getting? One public school, Kentucky, gets to demand that another public school, Louisville, fire its coach for an off-court act. So you get to be morally judgmental and it helps your college program? That's a daily double in the South, the only thing better is when the rival church's preacher gets sent up the river for tax evasion.

After all the internal public relations debate, Pitino's lawyer attempted to argue that the $3,000 he gave Sypher was for health insurance and not an abortion. It was a bad argument that made Pitino look worse. Fortunately for Pitino it wasn't as bad as the 10 rejected suggestions for how to explain away the $3,000.

Here goes:

1. It was a down payment for a hit on Christian Laettner.
Even though they starred in that ridiculous commercial this spring, I don't believe that Pitino wouldn't like to give Laettner a nice elbow to the kidney at some point. The charge of the Aminu Timberlake brigade.

This has the added benefit of straining Kentucky political alliances. On the one hand Kentucky fans want Pitino gone, on the other hand, at least the money was going to take out the top nemesis in the state of Kentucky.

2. Abort? I thought she said a port. Portuguese wine, you know, I love it.
Remember when there was a controversy over whether Hillary Clinton called a Jewish campaign worker, "a Jew bastard" or merely yelled, "you bastard." This could be the equivalent. Pitino claims Sypher merely asked for a bottle of wine that she otherwise couldn't afford, and he helped her out.

"She's a oenophile, I'm a oenophile," he'd say, shrugging his shoulders.

3. Strength coach payments for personal training sessions.
Quick question, how many people out there would marry someone that they knew had a sexual relationship with their boss? What's more, how many people would marry a divorcee with four kids, who slept with their boss at a restaurant on the night she met him?

Would anyone do this? Isn't this when you pull your friend aside and say, "I know, I know, she's pretty hot and you're not getting any younger, but, man, she slept with Ricky P. at the restaurant while she was married. And he wasn't the first one. Won't be the last either."

Every male friend of this strength coach should get punched between the legs by the Louisville president.

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Pitino Extortion Case

Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino makes a public apology concerning his involvement in a scandal in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. Pitino's comments were the first since news broke Tuesday that he told police that he and Karen Sypher had sex on a table at a Louisville restaurant six years ago. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)

FR50389 AP

Pitino Extortion Case

FILE- In this April 24, 2009, file photo, Karen Cunagin Sypher, listens as her attorney speaks to the media outside Gene Snyder Courthouse following a court appearance in Louisville, Ky., A newspaper is reporting that Louisville coach Rick Pitino told police he had sex and paid for an abortion for the woman accused of trying to extort him for $10 million. The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on its Web site Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, that Pitino told police he had been been drinking in a Louisville restaurant and had consensual sex with Karen Sypher in August 2003. (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon, File)

** FILE ** This Dec. 18, 2008 file photo shows Louisville head coach Rick Pitino on the sidelines against Mississippi in an NCAA college basketball game in Cincinnati. A newspaper is reporting that Louisville coach Rick Pitino told police he had sex and paid for an abortion for the woman accused of trying to extort him for $10 million. The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on its Web site Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, that Pitino told police he had been been drinking in a Louisville restaurant and had consensual sex with Karen Sypher in August 2003. (AP Photo/Al Behrman, File)

Karen Sypher walks into Federal Court in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday, April 24, 2009. Sypher is charged with extortion by U.S. District Court in connection with threatening correspondence toward University of Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino. (Jonathan Palmer/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)

MCT

4. The money went for a prop bet placed on the first of March to this query: Kentucky will be in better shape as a basketball program than Louisville within six months. 100-to-1 odds.
The only people happy about this story are Kentucky fans. Seriously, they're ecstatic, almost as happy as they were about Patrick Sparks' three-pointer against Michigan State putting the game into overtime in the Elite 8. You should see the gloating e-mails from Kentucky fans.

Think about it from their perspective. In the middle of March, Louisville, their most hated basketball rival on the planet, entered the NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, Kentucky slinked into the NIT where it bowed out on the road at Notre Dame. Five months ago, the Wildcats were in the midst of the Billy Gillispie implosion and now Louisville has to fight a battle to keep Pitino as its coach, they've got Coach Cal and the top recruiting class in the country, and as if that weren't enough, Pitino's top basketball recruit just left high school early and signed to play pro basketball in Israel.

I mean, in all honesty, what are the odds on any of this actually happening? Much less all of it?

C-A-T-S.

5. The money was supposed to go to Derrick Rose. Coach Cal offered him half that to sign. We doubled it.
Admittedly, this would lead to NCAA probation. But it would be bittersweet because it might lead to Coach Cal getting fired too. Speaking of which, is there any other state in the country with a dirtier collegiate aura than Kentucky? It's a penumbra of filth. The only state that could even come close would be Connecticut, and that's based on Jim Calhoun by himself.

6. The money was for carpet-cleaning in the old Rick Pitino's restaurant in Lexington.
Does anyone else wonder what went down after hours when Pitino was in Lexington and had his own restaurant?

No wonder you couldn't get in that place on basketball weekends.

7. We were thinking about adopting children from Africa and that was the adoption fee. Karen offered to be our go-between.
In general, if you're white, being willing to adopt a child from Africa gives you a pass for anything else you've done wrong in life. No matter what.

8. The money was a consulting fee for Charles Barkley since Sir Charles can curse people on air, go drunk-driving for oral sex with prostitutes, and gamble millions of dollars. All of which makes him more beloved.
Barkley's advice to Pitino was controversial. "If I got caught having sex in a restaurant, I'd just have Kenny and Ernie turn it into a funny skit."

Like this.

Ernie: "You talked to a married woman's kids before you had sex with her?"

Barkley: "I talk to everyone's kids before I have sex with their mom in the restaurant. Ask Kenny."

Everyone laughs.

Kenny: "At least I got a ring."

9. Replica championship rings from 1996
Pitino has given up on actually winning another championship at Louisville. So to make the team feel better, he had the 1996 Kentucky basketball rings recast and gave them out to the Cardinals team.

"I want you to know what a championship ring feels like," Pitino said, "because I'm never going to win another one."

10. White Suit Dry-Cleaning
I hear they can get soiled fairly easily.

Rick Pitino's PR Team and the $3,000 Lie originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky's John Wall the Latest to Dunk on an NBA Player

Chas Rich — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, Video

NBA players participating in summer leagues and shoe camps need to remember just one thing: If you are going to try and provide some help defense, either be there timely or just do not try if you don't want to end up YouTubed. If you did not learn that from the Jordan Crawford dunk on LeBron James, then you have it coming. Right, Mr. Stackhouse?

Soon to be the latest uber-freshman for a John Calipari team, John Wall blew past some poor schlub trying to defend him on the perimeter. Jerry Stackhouse slid over to try and stop the easy basket, but was late and got the posterization.

Kentucky's John Wall the Latest to Dunk on an NBA Player originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Henry Family Reconfirms Commitment to Kansas for a Year

Chas Rich — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas, Kentucky, Big 12, SEC, Media Watch, Recruiting, Rumors

For a rather wild day, it looked like things were going to get even weirder than they usually do in the college basketball offseason. Even before the summer recruiting began. In the end, it was a lot of noise but no change. Xavier and C.J. Henry are still going to Kansas for the 2009-10 season, not reversing field to go to Kentucky to be with John Calipari.

Xavier Henry is one of the top-5 high school players in the country. He had already switched his commitment from Memphis to Kansas, but since he could not sign a new National Letter of Intent (NLI) he is not actually bound to Kansas until he shows up on the campus and signs the scholarship papers. His older brother, C.J. Henry, is a walk-on with the New York Yankees paying his way following a failed baseball career.

Then there is dad. Carl Henry played basketball for Kansas, and holds strong views about his sons, their talent, future plans and comparing them both rather favorably versus the other talent on the Kansas basketball team. He let many of them fly during a feature article in the Kansas City Star.

Among the gems: Xavier is not that interested in going to college, this is definitely a one-and-done thing for him (duh), they considered Europe for a year, C.J. is probably better than both Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor, and that coach Bill Self needs to be on-board with the Henry plan,

Shockingly, with opinions that suggested that the Henrys were bigger than Kansas, it was not embraced by the Jayhawk faithful. This led to an angry Carl Henry to go on a local sports radio station to complain that the article made him and his sons look like prima donnas and that all Carl does is talk. Plus, the negative reaction on the internet and elsewhere by Kansas fans has the Henrys so upset that they were leaning very strongly towards going to Kentucky instead. Interestingly, in the radio interview, Carl Henry admitted that there was nothing factually inaccurate in the story.

Recapping that last bit. A reporter hangs out with the Henrys. Gets the facts right. Carl Henry and his sons do not like the way it made them look, because it made them look spoiled. Carl in particular disliked that it portrayed him as someone always talking. So in response, Carl Henry goes on the radio to talk some more and announces that while they are not prima donnas, they had their feelings so hurt by the negative reaction to the story that they might very well go to Kentucky instead.

Well played, sir.

So for several glorious hours yesterday there was chaos on the Kentucky and Kansas message boards over all of this. Especially since a decision could come that night. It did, in a text message to the same Kansas radio show.

But late Tuesday, Xavier Henry sent a text message to Cory Anderson of the Chris and Cowboy Show on 610 Sports Radio confirming he would not change his mind.

"I'm goin to Kansas and that's final," the text read.

The thing is, that while most of this was about Carl Henry's mouth and the tantalizing talent of Xavier Henry, it was probably C.J. Henry's situation that kept things as the status quo.

The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy Tweeted this point.

The Henry's hadn't much leverage. If X took off on KU, what about CJ? Think the NCAA would have given him immediate eligibility everywhere?

C.J. was already a freshman on the Memphis roster this past year (PDF). He sat out while recovering from surgery. He has already had to apply to get immediate eligibility at Kansas. What are the odds the NCAA would let him switch to Kentucky as well? Probably not that good. Which means that Carl Henry was -- once more -- just doing a lot of talking.

Henry Family Reconfirms Commitment to Kansas for a Year originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jodie Meeks to Remain in NBA Draft

Matt Snyder — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC, NBA Prospects

According to an ESPN.com report by Andy Katz, Jodie Meeks is still going to forgo his senior year in favor of entering the NBA Draft. Meeks had joined the early entrant list to the NBA Draft prior to the hiring of John Calipari as the Wildcats' head basketball coach. Once Calipari was brought on board, there was some thought amongst the general public Calipari's presence would somehow convince Meeks to change his decision, but that isn't the case.

Meeks was arguably the best player in the SEC last season. The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 23.7 points per game, and put together a brilliant 54-point outburst against Tennessee mid-January, which was a school record. He shot brilliantly for the season, hitting 41 percent of his threes and 90 percent of his free throws.

Oddly enough, the loss of Meeks actually appears to alleviate the crowded UK roster a bit. After the number Calipari has done in recruiting since his arrival, the Wildcats are absolutely loaded for 2009-2010, especially in the backcourt. Incoming freshman point guards Eric Bledsoe and John Wall are incredibly touted. Talented JuCo transfer Darnell Dodson also joins Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins, giving Calipari five bonafide guards to rotate as he sees fit.

While it would be nice for any team to have a talent like Meeks, the Wildcats seem as equipped as anyone in the country right now to deal with such a loss. In fact, losing power forward Patrick Patterson from the inside would have hurt much more, due to the way the team is currently constructed. Patterson had entered the draft, but has since changed his mind and decided to return to Lexington.

As things stand, Kentucky is easily a top 10 team for next season -- if not better -- and that's without last season's best player.

Jodie Meeks to Remain in NBA Draft originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky's Joe Bologna's Restaurant Ban Illustrates Absurdity in NCAA Rules

Matt Snyder — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC

An Italian restaurant in Lexington, Ken., is now forbidden territory for all University of Kentucky athletes. Joe Bologna, owner and operator of the creatively named Joe Bologna's Restaurant, had been allowing UK basketball players to eat for free in his establishment for what is estimated to be a period of about four years. Under NCAA rules, no establishment can grant athletes freedoms or favors they wouldn't give to "normal" students, thus, it was an NCAA violation.

Kentucky's compliance department did the right thing in self-reporting to the NCAA immediately, and the only real punishment in the situation is that Bologna will not be allowed to serve any Wildcats athletes through August of 2011.

To be fair, these are very minor violations and the athletic department isn't really being punished. Still, the situation really illustrates how cockamamie NCAA rules pertaining to student-athletes can be. This situation stemmed from a member of the athletic department asking a waitress about the tipping habits of the basketball players. She replied that they tip well.

"But," the waitress added, "Joe always 'comps' their food."

From there, Kentucky was required to self-report to the NCAA. In the aftermath, there were investigations, interviews, and studying of receipts (no one was ever comped more than $100 -- a violation which could have caused player suspensions). This took months.

There are sure to be people flocking to claim Kentucky is dirty now, just because they recently hired the ever-stigmatized John Calipari. This happened before Cal was hired, though, and no University personnel knew anything about it until they reported it to the NCAA. Plus, this isn't exactly a rare happening.

According to the Kentucky.com article, the NCAA processed and reviewed nearly 4,000 of these cases across the nation in 2008 alone. Four freaking grand. What a complete and utter waste of time. There is no reason for the NCAA to be concerned with private affairs, like a restaurant cozying up with athletes. So what if he likes the basketball players more than other students? You can argue, on a moral ground, that he shouldn't be giving them preferential treatment, but how is he affecting the play of the actual team? He's not.

Latest College Basketball Images

Crew members for NASCAR driver Joey Logano (20) right, wait to be fueled as rain falls at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., before the day begins for qualifying for the NASCAR Pocono 500 auto race, Friday, June 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton, Sr.)

Crews push cars for NASCAR driver David Ruetimann (00), left, and Kasey Kahne (9), right, to be fueled as rain falls at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Friday, June 5, 2009. The Pocono 500 is scheduled for Saturday. (AP Photo/Russ Hamilton, Sr.)

Baltimore Orioles' Aubrey Huff slides back to third base late as he is caught leading off by the Seattle Mariners' Rob Johnson in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Seattle, Wednesday, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley (47) argues with home plate umpire Tony Randazzo after a ball hit by Orioles' Aubrey Huff was originally called a home run, then reviewed and called a foul in the first inning of a baseball game in Seattle, Wednesday, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, of Japan, singles in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles, extending his hitting streak to 27 games, during a baseball game in Seattle on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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)

MCT

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)

MCT

The NCAA needs to understand that, while players are technically "student-athletes," they are different than normal students. They receive perks just because of their status, and you can't fight that. Plus, you can never expect every group of students to be treated the same everywhere they go. It's no secret beautiful women rarely pay for drinks. What if there is a play on campus and a certain restaurateur wanted to buy the cast a dinner? Should the people who didn't take part in the play try to fight the university? Of course not. This is the real world. Not everyone is treated equally in every situation. Deal with it.

Of course, the NCAA does not live in the real world. They waste colossal amounts of time and money with their bureaucracy "investigating" 4,000 matters like this one every year. They'd be hard pressed to explain what advantage is gained by the University -- especially considering Bologna is not employed by Kentucky Athletics in this example -- and who the victims in this situation are. Obviously, the line has to be drawn somewhere -- you don't need them being each granted an H2, after all -- and the $100 limit seems like a good place. I'd be fine if it was much lower, but the NCAA doesn't need to waste so much time dealing with a free meal every once in a while to these young men. There's no bigger recruiting advantage to dealings like this than there is being able to walk the players into Rupp Arena and see all those banners.

It's a victimless "crime" in which no athletic advantage is gained. Look the other way. Four thousand times a year.

Kentucky's Joe Bologna's Restaurant Ban Illustrates Absurdity in NCAA Rules originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six More Weeks of Anxiety for Memphis

Tom Ziller — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Memphis, Coaches, Recruiting

Memphis officials, Kentucky coach John Calipari and the NCAA had their little four-hour pow-wow Saturday concerning that whole SAT scandal. The verdict? No verdict for six weeks or so, reports the Associated Press. As Clay Travis discussed Friday, Calipari is ~~hiding~~ chilling in China and had to phone in to the assuredly awkward hearing. (Note that he had to phone in. The NCAA demanded he participate, even if he's on the other side of the planet.)

Six weeks (or more) leaves a lot of time for Tigers fans to sweat the impending doom of (gasp!) NCAA sanctions. But even more, it provides the opportunity for more allegations to come out against the program. Since the Derrick Rose story came to light, reports have placed the SAT scores of Robert Dozier in question. Another month-and-a-half leaves plenty of time for more shady recruiting stories to pop out.

That may sound unfair, but Memphis has quite obviously put itself in this position by apparently taking compliance so lightly. Taints spread. (Uh, let me rephrase that.) You can't quarantine a plague, and between Calipari's record of violations at Massachusetts, the Memphis program's close relationship with pro facilitator William Wesley and these incredible allegations, there's no stopping the rumor machine. At some point, we'll just assume every player in Memphis blue might not have become eligible legitimately.

Of course, one could argue such an attitude should be taken toward all college basketball players, especially in this era of the age limit, where (Brandon Jennings aside) kids have no viable choice but to force themselves into a university.

Six More Weeks of Anxiety for Memphis originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Calipari Sweating Yet? Who Knows ... He's In China

Clay Travis — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Memphis, Campus, Coaches

Saturday, Memphis appears before the NCAA Infractions Committee to discuss the Derrick Rose -- excuse us, name redacted -- imbroglio. Kentucky coach John Calipari will not be physically present. Why not? Because he has a previously scheduled trip to China. Boy, is that convenient. Coach Cal has known since mid-January that Memphis would be appearing before the infractions committee on June 5-7, 2009 (the letter preceding the notice of allegations informed Memphis of this date), and he just happens to schedule a trip to China during that time?

What a coincidence!

Calipari informed the NCAA via letter that he'd love to attend the hearing, but would be in China. The NCAA replied that they wanted him there anyway, by phone if necessary, foiling Calipari's ultimate rejoinder. "The NCAA hearing? I don't know anything about that. I was in China when they had the infractions hearing!"

This would be much funnier if I didn't believe the China gambit was planned by Coach Cal solely to put him as far as physically possible from the hearing, literally on the other side of the globe from Indianapolis. High comedy.

I'm picturing Cal sitting on the phone with his agent crossing off potential travel destinations. Cal to cronies, "I've got to be outside the country, as far from America as I can possibly get." It's a wonder Cal didn't choose to explore the virgin areas of the Amazon, so that this letter could arrive from his counsel:

"Due to his long-standing fascination with pink dolphins, Coach John Calipari will be traveling in the back country of the Amazon. There will be no telephones to reach him, no potential way to track him down. He regrets the inconvenience."

NCAA meet college basketball's own, Dr. Livingstone. One half expects for NCAA chairman Myles Brand to show up in Hangzhou with his hand outstretched, "Coach Calipari, I presume."

But honestly, is anyone else surprised? Cal to China during an NCAA hearing is, roughly speaking, five billion times as predictable as Nixon to China ever was. The only thing more ridiculous would be if Derrick Rose was currently visiting Australia. Or in China with Cal. (Does anybody have a GPS on World Wide Wes? I've heard he's a longtime disciple of the Dalai Lama. He's in the only place in the world where a cell phone ringing leads directly to lobotomy. Wes and Richard Gere are playing hide the gerbil from China.) Meanwhile Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson is putting his master's degree in P.E. from Northern Iowa to work. He's standing in front of a large globe.

"Astounding," Johnson remarks as he prepares for the NCAA hearing where he'll toss up his hands and say Memphis knew nothing about Rose's eligibilty, "who knew the world was round? Bully, we'll just dig a hole straight to China and that way Coach Cal can be both places at once."

Meanwhile Coach Cal is learning all he can about the Ming dynasty. He's always been a huge fan of the Ming dynasty. That's what he'll tell the UK basketball faithful when he comes back from China. "Y'all, John Wall is the Hongwu Emperor of the Big Blue Dynasty," Calipari will say. The crowd will cheer madly. Of course right now John Calipari could stand up in front of the UK fan base and say, "When each of your daughters turn 18, they belong to Patrick Patterson." And people would cheer even louder, tossing their camouflage UK hats high into the air in raucous celebration. "By God, Suzy Lee's son is going to have some height," they'd say.

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But false bravado aside, Coach Cal is nervous, very nervous as night comes to China. He's sitting down in the Beijing Kentucky Fried Chicken (you know he'll eat there) attempting to enjoy his drum stick and coke, while all the while the gnawing fear of the NCAA investigation stalks his every move. What if someone talks? He takes a bite of his drumstick, stares over his hunched shoulder. Reaches up to assure that his Chinese hair gel is still working, that his hair hasn't moved, that the sangfroid Coach Cal exterior is still in place. How could he, he of all people, have forgotten to pack his hair gel?

Because he's scared, very scared.

Cal knows recruiting one-year players for college basketball is built on a mountain of lies. They all pile up, one after the other so rapidly that it's hard to know the calculus of collapse. Careers are always, precariously, one Jenga block being pulled away from ruin. That's why Cal's looking over his shoulder. Why he's hoping that even on the other side of the world, people don't become aware of all the nervous tics that give away his fear.

Fortunately, I know the 10 signs that Cal is nervous.

1. He's changed the names on his telephone numbers so that "World Wide Wes" now appears as "Bill Keightley's widow."

2. After weeks of telephoning Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks with this plea, "I'm telling you, you've got to look at A.J. Stewart as a tight end, he'd be a stud." He's now given up pawning off Stewart on anyone else.

3. The other day he drove by Billy Clyde's abandoned house and thought to himself, "Man, Gillispie's one lucky guy."

4. He's shelved plans for his own Lexington restaurant, a la Pitino, because the first question he was asked was, "Do you want banners hanging from the ceiling?"

5. On late night walks around the Kentucky basketball offices he occasionally pauses in front of Adolph Rupp's portrait and repeats over and over again, "I am not a crook, I am not a crook, I am not a crook."

6. He logs onto CatsPause, pours a full glass of bourbon, and reads threads from anonymous posters because they make him feel better. Even if some of them misspell his name.

7. He no longer uses the UMass Final Four banner as his bedspread because he's making room for the one from Memphis.

8. After 498 consecutive tic-tac-toe losses, Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart finally beat him in a game since Cal neglected to make any moves. When Barnhart exulted over his victory on his sixth move, Coach Cal didn't even bother to explain that Barnhart was playing against himself.

9. While appearing before a group of alums in Owensboro, Ky., Calipari exulted, "I love it here. Absolutely love it. I will never leave Memphis, cross my heart."

10. As he stares at the Great Wall, Calipari sighs, then turns to his traveling companions and says, "Check with Governor Beshear about building one of these on the banks of the Ohio. I want it in my contract. When the NCAA mongols come for me, and they will come, they'll be traveling south from Indiana. A wall will stall them. I'll be gone from here by then."

Is Calipari Sweating Yet? Who Knows ... He's In China originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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