NCAA Basketball Investigation/Lawsuit Thread (merged)

[jwinslow]

if deemed necessarily, I believe that we have room to give up a schollie or two. (we could have taken 6-7 in the '06 class, can't remember exactly how many)

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Well the reason they do that was b/c it is the university's responsiblity to bering in honorable people and to not break the rules. I think the fact that there was a quick dismissal of OB should say that we have control as a university.

Hopefully they dont take too much money b/c then we might have to raise tickets prices a little more.

ticket prices went up a buck as of today for football and basketball for everyone.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DISPATCH

2/3/06

OSU hearing on infractions will resume

Friday, February 03, 2006

Rob Oller
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




When Ohio State’s trip to the principal’s office, otherwise known as the NCAA infractions committee, takes place today in Chicago, it will be the administrative equivalent of instant replay.

The committee will review information collected during the original hearing Dec. 9 in Indianapolis, which was postponed after attorneys for former men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien and former assistant coach Paul Biancardi argued that their ability to defend their clients was impeded when Ohio State refused to provide documents that identified all persons alleged to be involved in violations. The university, citing federal privacy law, concealed some names.

Neither Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith nor O’Brien’s attorneys returned calls seeking clarification on whether the issue had been resolved.

Attorney Jim Zeszutek, who represents Biancardi, said NCAA bylaws precluded him from discussing the case. The NCAA also said it does not discuss individual cases.

Ohio State has admitted to eight of the nine violations with which the NCAA charged it in August. The university disputes that it failed to monitor the men’s basketball program, which came under NCAA scrutiny when OSU fired O’Brien in June 2004 for loaning $6,000 to the family of a recruit.

But in a March 17 deposition taken as part of O’Brien’s wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, former OSU athletics director Andy Geiger testified the athletics department knew it lacked institutional control over men’s basketball — a much more serious offense than "failure to monitor."

When O’Brien’s attorney, Joe Murray, asked whether the athletics department has "made a decision that there was a lack of institutional control," Geiger answered, "I think we have realized that."

Asked if he had concluded that the "NCAA was going to make a finding of lack of institutional control," Geiger said, "Yes."

Geiger, Smith and OSU President Karen Holbrook are expected to attend the hearing, which likely will continue into Saturday. O’Brien and Biancardi also are expected to attend. OSU officials told men’s basketball coach Thad Matta that he was not required to be there.

On average, the NCAA announces penalties three to five weeks after a hearing.

The university has imposed penalties on itself, including banning the men’s basketball team from the 2005 postseason and docking two scholarships this season. More penalties are expected from the NCAA, although they are not expected to affect the current team or future teams beyond the possibility of more forfeited scholarships.
If the NCAA would levy a postseason ban, it would not take effect until 2007.

[greyscarlet]

I find it hard to believe that the university "lacked control", with the exception of a small time frame. The fact that tOSU self reported, fired the coach, and have a new AD (albeit for different reasons) shows a program that is in control.
Also, this like many things, will come down to money. There is no way tOSU or the NCAA allows this to negatively impact the 2007 season. The amount of revenue that both organizations stand to receive is enormous with tOSU's incoming class. A ruling negatively impacting 2007 and thus dismantling the "Thad Five" would have cataclismic rejusts especially for tOSU. Think of the loss of ticket sales next year.
Some may argue that Oden and the crew will bring in money for the NCAA wherever they go, but I think most people realize tOSU basketball has so much potential as a huge money maker, potentially the biggest.
This combined with the recent tendencies of the NCAA to not punish current players will result in nothing more than the banners coming down and repayment of tournament revenue (which will be made up in first day jersey sales of Oden alone).

[OH10]

This is, indeed, very nerve racking. I glad this year's team is not likely to suffer a post-season ban. With what they went through last year, TDials, Sullinger, Sylvester, and Foster all deserve to play in the NCAA tournament.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I would be shocked if another post season ban was imposed by the NCAA, historically this has not been the case with similar situations.

It is in the back of my mind, what if?