A bombshell scandal rocked the college basketball world this week. So does the impact Wisconsin in any way?
An FBI investigation resulted in serious and alarming criminal charges this week. No one associated with the Wisconsin basketball program is implicated.
However, it’s difficult to overstate the degree to which casts a somber cloud over the upcoming college basketball season. It’s also difficult to overstate how poorly this reflects on the NCAA and its compliance safeguards.
Since this is a Wisconsin Badger sports blog we’ll try to assess this through the cardinal and white colored glasses.
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Lets start with some descriptions of the investigation pulled directly from the complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.
"The charges in this Complaint result from a scheme involving bribery, corruption, and fraud in intercollegiate athletics. Since 2015, the FBI and USAO [US Attorney’s Office] have been investigating the criminal influence of money on coaches and athletes who participate in intercollegiate basketball governed by the NCAA."
In short, here is what is roughly how the alleged scheme worked:
- funnel money to NCAA basketball players
- players agree to attend a specific university
- players agree to sign with “bribe-payors” once they reach the NBA
- steps to hide the “illegal payments”
Of course, a major school implicated is the University of Louisville. This isn’t the Cardinals first brush with alleged scandal of course.
As a result, Coach Rick Pitino is on thin ice at Louisville and the ice melting is melting fast.
Report: Louisville expected to fire Rick Pitino amid Brian Bowen allegations (by @cstonehoops) https://t.co/kfirhic3Re
— FanSided (@FanSided) September 27, 2017
So, getting back to the Badgers. It doesn’t look like Wisconsin is facing any legal repercussions from this. However, perhaps our friends in Minnesota aren’t feeling great today. After all, Minnesota’s head coach is Richard Pitino, Rick’s son.
Let me be clear, there is no indication that Gopher head coach Richard Pitino is even suspected of any wrongdoing.
However, Minnesota may be worried about an apple-tree situation. Or whether Rick communicated with his son Richard about anything. If so, then Richard may be taped to testify, sit for a deposition, or sign an affidavit.
So while Richard Pitino is not the target of any criminal investigation or alleged to have broken any rules or laws, this can’t help. He will undoubtedly have to answer some questions about it on the recruiting trail.
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The younger Pitino has good job security, earning a contract extension through 2022 following the 2016-2017 season. Yet, Wisconsin’s Ned Flanders will still have to deal with this through no fault of its own.