So college basketball changed yesterday. Or at least it will change, presumably. Any time the FBI makes high-profile arrests of assistant basketball coaches, an Adidas executive and various other agents, advisors and prep hoops parasites you’re dealing with something different. These aren’t NCAA infractions we’re talking about here, but criminal investigations that have already involved wire taps, video surveillance and undercover agents.
When the FBI revealed its official complaints (linked above), I immediately went to my book shelf. For some reason – well, actually by design – I still have a mass-market paperback copy of “Raw Recruits,” the 1991 expose by Sports Illustrated writers Alexander Wolff and Armen Keteyian. It essentially described most of what we learned yesterday, but did it 25 years ago. I was 12 when I read it the first time so it’s probably time for a re-read, but the scary pull quotes at the front of the book tell you what you need to know.
“It’s a cesspool, and we start the process,” said Sonny Vacaro, the man generally credited with providing shoe companies entry into the high-school basketball ranks.
“Sometimes I wonder what dishonesty is,” said John Thompson, then Georgetown’s revered head coach. “Is it dishonest for a kid to be paid . . . or is it just agains the rules?”
This one, from L.A. summer league coach Pat Barrett, was particularly poignant: “All hands are out. A pair of Nikes and a sweat suit to a sixth-grader is like $100,000 to a college kid.”
I guess shoes and gear don’t carry as much weight today because according to the investigation one prospective player received $100,000 to commit to Louisville. There’s a lot to sift through with this one, but it’s worth diving in. Read the actual complaints. Read “Raw Recruits” when you get time. But for now, start with these, some of the best stories on this topic from yesterday:
>>The involvement of Adidas employees in this scandal gave the story a potential local link. Nebraska just signed a big new sponsorship deal with the company in August, but university officials say the school has not been contacted by investigators.
>>Louisville has, however. Head coach Rick Pitino provided the following statement.
Statement from Rick Pitino through attorney Steve Pence. pic.twitter.com/HcVzmnJwUc
— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) September 26, 2017
>>Local Louisville reporter Eric Crawford writes that he thinks this latest scandal will be the end for Pitino and Louisville AD Tom Jurich. Yahoo’s Pat Forde writes that the program deserves the death penalty if the allegations are true.
>>Book Richardson, an Arizona assistant, was one of those arrested yesterday. Local columnist Bruce Pascoe looks at the potential ramifications for the Wildcats.
>>If you missed the New York District Attorney’s press conference, you can watch the whole thing here. I watched it yesterday and they appear ready to play hardball.
>>Dan Wetzel of Yahoo spoke to a former AAU coach who was involved in a similar scandal 17 years ago and went to prison for three years rather than cooperate with the investigation.
>>Mark Titus, a former Ohio State basketball player, is hopeful that these allegations can start to clean up the sport.
>>Here’s a good breakdown of everything from ESPN.
I could really go on linking forever, but that’s probably enough scandal to get you started on a Wednesday.
The Grab Bag
- Bunch of Husker news yesterday: Here's a recap of Dave Rimington's introductory press conference. Rimington was also on Hail Varsity Radio yesterday. Chris Jones was back on the practice field yesterday, one of many notes from Tuesday. And lastly, Jacob Padilla breaks down some of Nebraska's best plays from last week.
- Speaking of which, the Huskers ran one running play 31 times against Rutgers.
- Illinois will have a promising pass rusher back for the first time this season.
- Bruce Feldman pours gas on the Alberts/Frost flames.
Today's Song of Today
https://youtu.be/E16fzjKjLhI
Brandon is the Managing Editor for Hail Varsity and has covered Nebraska athletics for the magazine and web since 2012, Hail Varsity’s first season on the scene. His sports writing has also been featured by Fox Sports, The Guardian and CBS Sports.
