| | By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
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Tarnished Gophers
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A quick look at the NCAA's actions against the Minnesota men's
basketball program for violating academic rules:
IT FOUND: That the Golden Gophers took part in "academic
fraud" by using tutors to write term papers and do other
schoolwork for 18 basketball players from 1994-98. It said
then-coach Clem Haskins knew about the plan.
PENALTIES: Four years probation, public
reprimand and censure for the program, a cut of five basketball
scholarships over the next three years and repayment of some
$350,000 from 1994-95-97 NCAA tournament appearances. The NCAA also
ordered all records and references to the Golden Gophers' NCAA and
NIT appearances from 1994-98 erased, and the "1997 Final Four"
banner removed from the rafters of Williams Field House. Other
punishment included restrictions on recruiting and coaches'
evaluation days.
ESCAPED: One of the biggest, a postseason ban. The NCAA accepted the university's self-imposed
punishment of keeping the 1999-2000 team out of postseason
tournament play.
QUOTE: "The violations were significant, widespread and
intentional. More than that, their nature -- academic fraud -- undermined the bedrock foundation of a university and the operation of its intercollegiate athletics program."
-- NCAA press release
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The sanctions handed down by the NCAA on Tuesday against the University of Minnesota men's basketball team are really a double-edged sword. But in the end, the harsh penalties placed upon the Golden Gophers had to be enforced.
The NCAA had to enforce its rules and the resulting penalties are a deterrent not only against this university's lack of institutional control that allowed this type of egregious academic fraud to take place from happening again but also to prevent it happening anywhere else.
Still, it remains a difficult balancing act, not only for the NCAA but also Minnesota. The university can't feel like it's being picked on. After all, ultimately the school brought this situation on itself when people in positions of power participate in these wrongdoings.
But caught on the end sharp end of the sword, as well, are the current players at Minnesota, those who weren't involved in the academic fraud from 1994-98. These kids are left to fight to play at a respectable level in a very difficult conference while being handcuffed into the future.
I know second-year coach Dan Monson, who took over for Clem Haskins, is thinking the exact same thing. Munson doesn't want to run away from the responsibility of what has happened, but at the same time, he can't help but feel sorry for his innocent players who are being unduly hurt by these penalties.
And make no mistake, these are harsh sanctions even though the Gophers weren't banned from postseason play.
Last season's school-imposed ban on postseason play was a gallant gesture, but the Gophers weren't going to make the postseason. And on the surface, it might appear as if Minnesota caught a break when the NCAA decided to not impose a further postseason ban.
But the sanctions levied against the Gophers, especially losing five scholarships over the next three years, will take its toll on the program. Losing scholarships and limiting the amount of recruiting time is crippling to a program.
The NCAA Tournament might remain out there as a carrot to the Gophers, but with these sanctions, I think it would be a heck of an accomplishment if they made the tournament. Think of the affect of these sanctions as a defacto postseason ban.
The players who'll play under the sanctions going forward have to feel like, "why are we being hit so hard?" They didn't do anything wrong, yet they're left behind to serve the punishment. That's the rub. That's why there are two sides to this issue.
The problem is, if you take the latter perspective of the Gophers left behind, then there seems to be a greater incentive to cheat. Imagine if a program gets caught, all they have to do is clean house and everyone going forward can just pick up where they left off. That would not be a palatable situation from the NCAA rules committee's perspective.
So, I feel bad for Monson. He's a terrific coach and good person. He's now going to have even more of an uphill battle. Losing scholarships and running a team on probation is crippling to a program. | |
ALSO SEE
NCAA hits Gophers hoops with four years' probation
Minnesota scandal timeline
Rickert shuns Gophers, chooses Arizona
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