With the APR sanctions, like most people here, I think we were fkd. I saw this article recently on Hawaii and it's just a reminder of how ridiculous we were treated. Hawaii earned an appeal based on a change in rules. We were given no such opportunity.
Hawaii wins appeal, can play in postseason
In general, fans have issues with "non-profit" organizations who rule with an iron fist - especially when participants who drive revenue do not receive compensation. The APR sanctions served as just one example with the NCAA. Another occurred this week with FIFA. They suspended Messi 4 games for arguing a call with a ref. This is the same organization that took millions worth of bribes, used glorified slave labor to build stadiums, and profits off of impoverished countries who overbuild infrastructure for a month-long event.
In terms of impact on the program, I don't think it was
that negative and relatively contained on paper. Michael Bradley transferred - who cares. Alex Oriakhi left for what would have been his senior year - who cares. Drummond and Lamb left to become lottery picks - would have happened anyway. The biggest long-term impact was Roscoe who became a beast rebounder and still had eligibility.
The scholarship reduction means you don't have an 12th/13th guy at the end of your bench - not a huge deal. And the cut back on communication with recruits might have had the biggest impact since the Facey, Brimah, Samuel class was a bit of a bust.
I do think it had a positive impact on that team. They played with a massive chip on their shoulder that led to the '14 title. Overall, that was 5 years. I have a hard time connecting today's problems to sanctions handed out in 2012.
If you want to argue that the sanctions became a major reason we were left out of the ACC, that's a separate argument and worth a thread on its own.