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Memphis facing NCAA allegations
May 28, 2009
By Brian Edwards VegasInsider.com
F irst of all, let's not act surprised by Wednesday's development that the NCAA is alleging three major rules violations against Memphis on John Calipari's watch, as first reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
On the day Kentucky hired Calipari, we suggested that Calipari was no stranger to the NCAA boys. Now it appears Memphis, not UK, could pay the price for transgressions by Calipari's program during the 2007-2008 season.
You see, it looks like someone may have taken the SAT test for Derrick Rose to get him eligible for his freshman year with the Tigers, who went to the Final Four before losing in overtime to Kansas in the title game.
Calipari also took UMass to the Final Four in the 1990s, but that national-semifinals appearance was vacated from the record books after similar violations were uncovered.
Calipari was not directly implicated in that instance, nor is he in this case. But Calipari has been called to a hearing before the NCAA's infractions committee on June 6.
According to multiple reports, the worst-case scenario for Memphis is forfeiting its 38 wins with Rose in the lineup. A reduction in future scholarships or other sanctions are unlikely.
So Memphis will likely be free and clear of Calipari when all of this is done. As for the Big Blue Nation, you can bet that Cal's 'Cats will be on the NCAA's radar, especially after UK's No. 1 recruiting haul was landed in the last six weeks. That class includes a one-and-done star point guard named John Wall, who sort of reminds me of Rose.
UK knew what it was getting into with Calipari, who may very well lead the 'Cats back to the promised land. But in the long run, will it be worth it? Will it even count in Kentucky's storied record books?
Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.
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