White Magic's Revenge

[Franny]

Funny how this happens now...

Obviously we're still all waiting on the details of the probation. I could care less if they take down the final four banner. The school deserves whatever punishment they get I suppose but it's funny that the one person responsible for the mess is 3 years removed from OSU and gets millions and millions of dollars while the new players and coaches and everyone have to suffer. Hopefully this just motivates them to make a statement in this year's tournament.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2362496



OSU receives three years' probation for violationsAssociated Press




COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State was placed on three years' probation Friday, a ruling that wipes out records from four NCAA Tournament appearances by the men's basketball team -- including a trip to the 1999 Final Four.


The decision by the NCAA does not affect this season's team, which is 22-4, ranked seventh in the country and the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament.


The Buckeyes won't be barred from postseason play as a result of using an ineligible player from 1999-2002 under former coach Jim O'Brien. However, the school will have to repay tournament revenues, likely around $800,000, for the four years in which Boban Savovic played. He received improper gifts, including housing and cash, from a booster.


Ohio State must take down the 1999 Final Four banner which hangs from the rafters in Value City Arena.


The NCAA came down hard on O'Brien and former assistant coach Paul Biancardi, now the head coach at Wright State. If O'Brien tries to get a job at another college, he and his new school must appear before the NCAA's infractions committee to discuss whether he will face additional limitations.


Biancardi was prohibited from recruiting until Oct. 1, 2007. If he does, Wright State could face NCAA sanctions.


Ohio State had acknowledged eight of nine violations alleged by the NCAA. The school fired O'Brien in June 2004 and held last season's team out of the postseason to try to avoid any additional penalties. The Buckeyes also limited their men's basketball scholarships to 11 this season, instead of the allowed 13.


Other penalties include a public reprimand and a reduction in on-campus visits by basketball recruits next year.


Seven violations involved the men's basketball program under O'Brien. The other two involved women's basketball and football.

[Franny]

I'm a little calmed down now because I first heard this news via Jeff Picoro who was going on and on about Oden leaving and Thad going to Indiana, then after some digging you find the probation doesn't even exclude the Buckeyes from Post Season Tournament play. I guess I have to question why he would act like the sky is falling.

Also, on the same radio broadcast, Scott Springer made a comment about how Thad would never go to UC or Indiana because he "always walks into a good situation and can't build a program himself." Ummm yeah, OSU was GREAT situation... a team full of no name recruits and at least a first year full of self imposed sanctions. How wrong and retarded can this guy be? Maybe he needs to just stick to his 700 WLW "Reds Updates" instead of trying to claim he knows something about NCAA hoops.