Yikes! As many as 3 dozen Division I basketball programs could face NCAA penalties

[surveyor]

I've wondered the same thing - the only answer I've gotten that makes sense is that these agents and players are essentially defrauding schools by claiming themselves to be amateurs.

That's the FBI's answer.

But in the Louisville case that doesn't make sense because Pitino was approving the payments to Brian Bowen.

The FBI ended their investigation of Bowen when they were satisfied he himself was unaware of the payments - and by satisfied, they couldn't prove he was aware of the payments to his dad. In this instance, by evidence, the school wasn't defrauded, the recruit was defrauded.

[Joneslab]

I think the FBI became involved when it was clear this was systematic.

Anybody can run a generic pyramid scheme. But when it becomes a situation where there's a whole system in place to defraud people it becomes a much larger issue. That's likely when the FBI got involved.

It doesn't help that these players were underage. So Dawkins, Adidas, ASM, perhaps Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League, and maybe others had created this intricate system based on bribery and graft.

[Dwight Schrute]

If John Calipari is approving of it the way Pitino was, he needs to be run out of here. The ASM stuff that Will detailed is pretty troubling if there's anything there.

[BobS]

My guess is BAM got the loan with Dennis Smith as part of a deal for going to NC St. when BAM decided on UK nstead, the loan was labeled “bad loan”. But we’ll see. That would clear UK to a point, but would give an ineligible player last year. Just speculating

[Joneslab]

The documents interestingly say that ASM met with Tom Izzo and "Villanova coaches."

[Dwight Schrute]

I can't wait for the tell-all books that stem from this in a few years.

[Joneslab]

Deadspin's take. (Beware: salty language.)

Who Gives a S____

[KCKUKFan]

If Cal met with anybody from ASM or is involved with any of this, he needs to be let go immediately. However, I find that incredibly hard to believe. For one, Cal notoriously despises Andy Miller.

I wish Kentucky players weren't listed on this spreadsheet, but frankly, this seems like a big, ahem, Nothingburger. Knox pays back his lunch, they vacate our NIT year... big whoop. I don't like the idea that they might vacate last year's Elite Eight, but if that's what happens, that's what happens. Take your medicine and keep it moving.

[CATHYnKY]

If Cal met with anybody from ASM or is involved with any of this, he needs to be let go immediately. However, I find that incredibly hard to believe. For one, Cal notoriously despises Andy Miller.

I wish Kentucky players weren't listed on this spreadsheet, but frankly, this seems like a big, ahem, Nothingburger. Knox pays back his lunch, they vacate our NIT year... big whoop. I don't like the idea that they might vacate last year's Elite Eight, but if that's what happens, that's what happens. Take your medicine and keep it moving.

Great post!!!

[Joneslab]

Theoretically more could happen than just vacating seasons.

They could force Kentucky to miss NCAA Tournaments. Which in turn could force Cal out. Which could make hiring the next coach difficult.

That's all worst-case-scenario, but it's a worst-case-scenario that could happen for a lot of programs.

One thing's for sure: after what happened to Louisville there is no way Kentucky should ever self-impose a postseason ban. That ended up doing nothing at all for Louisville.

But with all this said, the old argument of "the school couldn't have known" has worked before for other programs, so it could work here. Assuming there wasn't a pay-for-play scheme happening on UK's end.

[KCKUKFan]

Theoretically more could happen than just vacating seasons.

They could force Kentucky to miss NCAA Tournaments. Which in turn could force Cal out. Which could make hiring the next coach difficult.

That's all worst-case-scenario, but it's a worst-case-scenario that could happen for a lot of programs.

One thing's for sure: after what happened to Louisville there is no way Kentucky should ever self-impose a postseason ban. That ended up doing nothing at all for Louisville.

But with all this said, the old argument of "the school couldn't have known" has worked before for other programs, so it could work here. Assuming there wasn't a pay-for-play scheme happening on UK's end.

The NCAA isn't even going to start investigating this in earnest until the FBI finishes its investigation, which would probably be right around the time Cal retires anyway.

If Kentucky isn't directly implicated in the Adebayo stuff, I don't see how they could force Kentucky to miss any NCAA tournaments, anyway.

[BobS]

If vacating wins means nothing then I don’t get it. When I start feeling that way, I will give up caring about the program.

[KevinHall]

My proposal to pay kids an amount equal (or more) to the value of a scholarship, room and board and meals seems sensible now. Pay `em to play for whatever amount and then let them choose to use it for education or not. Their choice.

I said that on some version of this board a few years ago. These guys at the high d-1 level are semi pros anyway. Why not treat them like that? Either a free education of get paid at the rate of scholarship. It would be better than the sham that goes on anyway.

[KCKUKFan]

If vacating wins means nothing then I don’t get it. When I start feeling that way, I will give up caring about the program.

Vacating wins absolutely means something, and if we have to vacate last season's Elite Eight run/SEC championship, it will suck.

But, in the big picture, it could be a lot worse.

[KevinHall]

I will expect the worst and hope for the best out of this for UK. But I'm afraid things may get bad. Just too many great players come through here that likely expected much to come here to play. Cal is smart enough not to have his name directly linked to something but that doesn't mean he is indirectly involved. With the Feds looking at this they have smarts and time and money to connect the dots in a very thorough way. Also I have always been suspicious of any player who suddenly commits to a school out the blue(no pun intended). It looks like some of them have been confirmed and may be others we will find out for sure very soon.