OT: FBI has reportedly arrested several NCAA basketball assistant coaches.

[Kembacity]

It does bring to mind what went on at UNC a few years ago. Remember when they landed the top ranked recruiting class with either 4 or 5 top recruits, out of the blue? There was no change in coaches that could have accounted for it, Hatchell was still there. Most everyone was surprised by their big haul and unable to explain it. Diamond Deshields was the big catch that year, the number one recruit in the country. Interestingly, I believe 4 of those recruits later transferred out. Will be interesting to see if anything develops here or if it was just...good luck that UNC had on the trail...for that one season.

You brought up an interesting thought in my head, with these kids who are getting paid out to commit to a school... what happens if you decide to go to Louisville for that $100,000 to the family and after year 1, you transfer out? Clearly the school can't say "excuse me officer, this kid and his family took $100,000 to come play for us and now they're leaving, get us our money back please!!!"

So does anyone think schools are or have paid out for a transfer, and that its possible families have been paid out a couple of times by strategic movement?

and also, anyone else having a tough time staying on point at work, wanting to find more and more revelations from this onion of a story?

 

[Ricker]

And? They want new leads. Unless you think he knows about other players or something, I don't see what he could give them.

As an example from an earlier post I made, page 22 discussed the urgency these guys felt to overcome Adidas procedures and get the money to Father-2 (Bowen's it would seem), because a rival company was coming in with a higher offer. Bowen could start blowing the whistle on who was else was approaching him with competing offers, and building a case on another company's network of corruption. I think the FBI already knows who, but this would start building the evidence and next set of indictments towards a second company and it's process.

An earlier post mentioned forensic accounting. At least in Adidas case it would seem they would be well served to review every situation where their indicted employee involved himself in paying vendors, follow the money. Turning that guy for a reduced sentence should be very worrisome for any player or program he gave money to. Programs played players that were paid. NCAA forfeits of wins and money in all the games.

 

[Palatine]

Fair enough. Anyone who bites the tip line nonsense is a moron. Shut up and lawyer up. Those are the only two options.

Lawyer up, yes. Shut up, no. Sing like a canary.

This isn't a crime thing where snitches end up in ditches. In this case, the snitches will walk away and live a happy life. You're better off as a cooperating witness not a defendant.

 

[JeepCSC]

Bowen had previously visited NC State (adidas), Michigan State (Nike), Arizona (Nike), Texas (Nike), and Creighton (Nike).

 

[Ricker]

I find it very interesting that I haven't seen other P5 programs giving comfort to their fan bases and alums by announcing their reassurance that their programs have always taken the high road and that nothing will come back to haunt or embarrass their programs. Silence is interesting.

 

[Padutch5]

Yeah, they're all likely to be ineligible.

The NCAA moves at snail speed. These players will be in the pros or graduated before the NCAA ever finishes their investigations (MIAMI style)

 

[manbyrd]

You brought up an interesting thought in my head, with these kids who are getting paid out to commit to a school... what happens if you decide to go to Louisville for that $100,000 to the family and after year 1, you transfer out? Clearly the school can't say "excuse me officer, this kid and his family took $100,000 to come play for us and now they're leaving, get us our money back please!!!"

So does anyone think schools are or have paid out for a transfer, and that its possible families have been paid out a couple of times by strategic movement?

and also, anyone else having a tough time staying on point at work, wanting to find more and more revelations from this onion of a story?

I wouldn't be shocked if it happened, but I'd think the Gatto types would blacklist the kid/family for screwing one of their 'client' schools. Unless the understanding is that this is a 1-year 'contract' and if the player is good enough they'll likely be in the draft anyways.

And yes, it is tough turning away from this sweet juicy onion.

 

[temery]

Lawyer up, yes. Shut up, no. Sing like a canary.

This isn't a crime thing where snitches end up in ditches. In this case, the snitches will walk away and live a happy life. You're better off as a cooperating witness not a defendant.

Any lawyer worth his salt would say keep your mouth shut without a deal.

 

[Penfield]

I'm not assuming any other top program is in the clear at this point. I think UConn is far less likely to be implicated than most others, but if shoe brands are funneling money to top recruits, this must extend to more schools than we know of now.

Chill brought Fultz to WU. Top 5 player. Just liked Seattle? Ollie seems almost too naive to be involved early in his career. But if Chill was working it for WU, maybe we hired him because we weren't getting top players playing it straight. Not saying it's true. Just saying it doesn't seem that crazy...

I have no reason to think Chill isn't a straight shooter, but in light of this investigation this portion of the official UConn announcement of his hire makes you wonder what he may have seen on the other side/ what kind of connections he has-

"Prior to his first stint at Washington, Chillious served a year as a business manager for Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball in Beaverton, Ore., where his responsibilities included leading a team that conducted clinics and camps throughout the United States and foreign locations, identifying young basketball talent."

Looking back on the hire there was an odd emphasis on the fact that he worked for Nike and I seem to remember the term "Nike Guy" being used. Let's all hope there is nothing disreputable about his past

 

[UConnStats]

Nassir Little is "Player-12" in the Gatto complaint. Arizona is "University-4." Miami is "University-7."

Gatto was recorded saying Arizona/Nike will pay Little $150k if Miami didn’t step up first. Next thing you know he’s about to commit to Arizona. I always wondered why we never really pushed with Little after offering because I loved his game. Well, this explains that...

Some thought player 12 was Quickley, so I figured I’d put that out there.

 

[Palatine]

Any lawyer worth his salt would say keep your mouth shut without a deal.

Agree, get a deal. Take the deal. Get immunity. Cooperate completely. Sing. Sing. Sing.

 

[Husky25]

Yes indeed. Of all the three letter agencies, this is the one that strikes fear in people's hearts. The FBI couldn't put Al Capone away. The IRS did.

The IRS has the power to take your money and keep making you live in the real world. The FBI can take away your freedom, but at least you get three hots and a cot on the inside.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm still waiting for Emmert to say the magic words. "In light of the FBI investigation and arrests, and despite the fact that they do not appear to be involved, we have decided to focus the NCAA's attention on the University of Connecticut. I suspect that we can write a new rule to fit conduct they have previously committed, then provide waivers to any other schools with similar conduct, so that we can punish only them."

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

but at least you get three hots and a cot on the inside.

Is that what they call it these days? Was that meant as an Euphemism?

 

[Husky25]

Is that what they call it these days? Was that meant as an Euphemism?

I watch a lot of gangster movies...and Shawshank.

 

[Penfield]

How the hell is Kentucky not mixed up in this?

You dont get to the top by being sloppy.

 

[2Infinity]

You brought up an interesting thought in my head, with these kids who are getting paid out to commit to a school... what happens if you decide to go to Louisville for that $100,000 to the family and after year 1, you transfer out? Clearly the school can't say "excuse me officer, this kid and his family took $100,000 to come play for us and now they're leaving, get us our money back please!!!"

So does anyone think schools are or have paid out for a transfer, and that its possible families have been paid out a couple of times by strategic movement?

and also, anyone else having a tough time staying on point at work, wanting to find more and more revelations from this onion of a story?

Three points...
1) I'm not sure what recourse the "giftor" would have in the event of a renege by the player...short of going "Gambino" on them or their family. Obviously, there would be a huge risk of being exposed for the shoe co. or coaches, if they did.
2) Would a player really try to double-dip? lol I suppose they could, but would be burning bridges on their way up the ladder to the league...so not sure they would do it... if a legit prospect.
3)Why did all those recruits transfer out of UNC? Is it possible that they didn't receive all, or maybe any, of what they were "promised" when they committed?

 

[UConnStats]

How the hell is Kentucky not mixed up in this?

if Nike ever gets hit like this, I’m sure they will. But over the past year, looking at their recruits...

Diallo: Nike
Quade Green: Nike
Nick Richards: Nike
Kevin Knox: Nike
P.J. Washington: Nike
Jarred Vanderbilt: Nike

They didn’t stray at all, which likely saved their asses here.

Knox was a shocking commit, Diallo flipped after likely verbaling to UConn, and Quade Green suddenly flipped after looking like a Cuse lock. You can practically hear the bagman’s footsteps IMO.

 

[TopDogs]

Likely the first of many decommits and transfer requests:

 

[crazyUCfan23]

Players getting schollies needed to apply for financial aid?

Even if they are on scholarship, they are still entitled to their financial aid as well. (at least I think so)

 

[UConnSwag11]

 

[2Infinity]

Fox Business Channel just announced that Pitino will be fired today.

 

[Penfield]

if Nike ever gets hit like this, I’m sure they will. But over the past year, looking at their recruits...

Diallo: Nike
Quade Green: Nike
Nick Richards: Nike
Kevin Knox: Nike
P.J. Washington: Nike
Jarred Vanderbilt: Nike

They didn’t stray at all, which likely saved their asses here.

Knox was a shocking commit, Diallo flipped after likely verbaling to UConn, and Quade Green suddenly flipped after looking like a Cuse lock. You can practically hear the bagman’s footsteps IMO.

Imagine you are UConn or Cuse and you start to suspect Nike is helping UK steal your recruits.... Wonder how that next apparel contract negotiation goes.

On Nike's side what is the incentive to buy a recruit away from one Nike school to another? More merchandise sales?

The complexities behind this system are very interesting.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Imagine you are UConn or Cuse and you start to suspect Nike is helping UK steal your recruits.... Wonder how that next apparel contract negotiation goes.

On Nike's side what is the incentive to buy a recruit away from one Nike school to another? More merchandise sales?

The complexities behind this system are very interesting.

The UK fanbase and the exposure their school gets is insane. Idk if I would start putting other schools bc you never know what will come back around

But was about bazleys decommit from OSU to cuse? Our three random transfers? MAL? Or Greene from cuse to UK

 

[CL82]

... and, an Interim President left with only one option in the face of Pitino's and Jurich's programs' (plural in waiting) latest unethical practices

Isn't their accreditation also being reviewed? Kind of a perfect storm, isn't it?

 

[HuskyHawk]

How the hell is Kentucky not mixed up in this?

We will see what comes out, but my guess is that UK, Duke, KU and UNC probably don't need to do this. What I see are programs that are hungry to step up or join the bigger names, or in the case of UL, catch UK. I doubt we will see much for football either, because one or two players won't have much of an impact. But with basketball, a nothing school that grabs a 5 star and uses him to bring in a couple of other good players is suddenly a strong, ranked team.

Anecdotally, I know an assistant coach at a private academy/basketball factory school. He knows I hate Calipari, but says that the guy is down to earth and charming, and the HS coaches love him. I think it's safe to say that our view of him is colored by our history, all the way back to UMass.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

Imagine you are UConn or Cuse and you start to suspect Nike is helping UK steal your recruits.... Wonder how that next apparel contract negotiation goes.

On Nike's side what is the incentive to buy a recruit away from one Nike school to another? More merchandise sales?

Because Nike has been able to turn Kentucky into the glorified Harlem Globetrotters. You put your highest level talent all in one place, create a singular focus on them and Nike, and elevate the players' brand and popularity (which is what you are paying for as a shoe company when you sign a player). Plus, you have all of your elite assets focused in one place that is run by your hand picked Nike-Gigalo (Calipari) who is owned by Nike and will protect their interests with all of the players and make sure they don't get swooped up by rivals.

 

[CL82]

Bowen’s options are bad and worse.

Depending on how much he knows, his best bet might have been to call the NCAA and offer up everything about everyone in exchange for immunity. But that’s in a normal world where the FBI isn’t involved - I don’t know if he could get any sort of deal at the moment.

But if I’m the Bowen family, I’m looking to talk to anyone for a deal.

Right now, somewhere, an attorney is writing up a narrative about how Bowen is the victim, an innocent in the unsavory world of big time college recruiting.

 

[Penfield]

The UK fanbase and the exposure their school gets is insane. Idk if I would start putting other schools bc you never know what will come back around

But was about bazleys decommit from OSU to cuse? Our three random transfers? MAL? Or Greene from cuse to UK

I have no doubt this stuff happens, but its crazy to think Nike is out there helping schools poach recruits from other Nike schools. How does this work? Cuse goes to Nike, and complains about losing Greene, and says now you owe us one?

 

[Palatine]

Right now, somewhere, an attorney is writing up a narrative about how Bowen is the victim, an innocent in the unsavory world of big time college recruiting.

Bowen needs to working on a deal and spilling his guts.