The countdown clock is under 12 hours, and we’re all absolutely dripping with giddiness for real games in the next month…
- Memphis Responds to the NCAA. This didn’t get a lot of pub because it was released during college football Saturday last weekend, but Memphis sent its response to the NCAA regarding the Derrick Rose scandal. Their argument is based on how the NCAA used the legal doctrine of “strict liability” to effectively punish the Tiger program without direct evidence as to their culpability. In plain English, the NCAA is saying that Memphis is responsible for sanctions due to playing the ineligible player (Rose), whether they knew about his ineligibility or not. The brief is strongly argued by Memphis. They point out that strict liability as a governing doctrine seems to have only been used one time before, and in a different context (Kelvin Sampson at Indiana in 2008). Furthermore, they show that at least four other schools have had similar situations as the one Memphis faced, and in none of those four situations did the NCAA retroactively vacate the entire season as it did to Memphis. We have to believe that Corey Maggette’s name found its way somewhere in that appeal. So what will all of this mean? Probably not much. The NCAA isn’t a court of law, and they can pretty much make up their rules of enforcement as they go along (within reason). We have to wonder, though, if this wasn’t a punishment based on who the coach/player involved were versus a more objective analysis of the facts in light of previous similar situations. Stay tuned – the NCAA has thirty days to respond.
- Midnight Madness. Of course, RTC will be doing our BGTD comprehensive coverage tonight, so if you’re not out at the bars, join us. For some other preview material to get you in the appropriate mood, check out Luke Winn’s preseason Power Sixteen, Gary Parrish’s take on tonight’s festivities, Jeff Goodman’s schedule for the next few days, and Seth Davis’ 20 questions, Midnight Madness edition.
- More Previews. Goodman does the Pac-10, names his top 50 shooters, finalizes his preseason top 25 and lets us in on his preseason Naismith Award ballot, while Parrish names his top 20 impact freshmen and five programs on the rise and decline, and there are a bunch more random previews of teams and players coming out (San Diego, Rotnei Clarke, Michigan State, Tennessee, UCLA, UConn, Kansas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Kentucky and NC State.
- Quick Hits. John Calipari: interviewed at TBL. Dino Gaudio: 2-year extension at Wake Forest. Kevin Broadus: Binghamton coach on his last legs (indefinite leave). Dallas Lauderdale: OSU center broke his hand. Billy Donovan: Legend of Coaching? Not Yet, Nimrod. Florida frosh still not cleared to play. Marcus Jordan: reflects on his dad’s speech and other things. John Wooden’s 99th: Quotes from various people he’s touched in life and a visit to his birthplace in Indiana. Harrison Barnes: clearing up the UNC/Duke recruiting rumors. Mike DeCourcy: defining moments from the 2000s.