FBI College Basketball Corruption Investigation

[RichBradIllini]

Read the whole thing. I see nothing, perhaps you have the flu.

No, there's nothing implicit but the level of activity by Evans and the idea Underwood would have known nothing is hopeful. I mean there is a LOT going on there.

If it's true Evans gave a recruits mom $2000 to maintain a commitment that involves the NCAA and 'institutional control'.

There connections between Underwood, Boynton, Evans and Martin are strong and these guys have crossed paths many times over the years.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Darren Heitner‏Verified account
@DarrenHeitner

Sources: Employees of Nike's EYBL grassroots division, along with documents, have been subpoenaed by FBI in furtherance of investigation

 

[TCTORNADO]

No, there's nothing implicit but the level of activity by Evans and the idea Underwood would have known nothing is hopeful. I mean there is a LOT going on there.

If it's true Evans gave a recruits mom $2000 to maintain a commitment that involves the NCAA and 'institutional control'.

There connections between Underwood, Boynton, Evans and Martin are strong and these guys have crossed paths many times over the years.

Isn't that recruit Zack Dawson from South Miami?? He committed originally to OSU about 3 months after BU came onboard at Stillwater. Then after BU left for C/U might have been when the recruit's Mom wanted the $ for the reassurance.

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

This fanbase is so snakebit people are looking for things to be worried about. And even if there were something to be nervous about, what good does any of this (baseless, IMO) speculation accomplish?

Penn State fans spent years denying that anything bad happened WRT their football program. Our new HC's former assistant at another school(for 1 year) is accused of a crime and we're already worried about looking guilty.

 

[TownieMatt]

Can we just be real for a second? Everyone is dealing under the table to get kids to their school. EVERYONE.

If BU was still at OSU, people here would assume he knew about it. But because he's now our coach, he's innocent until proven guilty. :suspicious:

Sure maybe Underwood has plausible deniability. Like most good coaches at this level, he probably does. But please, these coaches know what's going on. When coaches talk about what great "relationships" an asst coach has, it's not rocket science to figure out what they're talking about.

Recruiting in CBB has gotten completely out of hand, and until the NCAA either dissolves or does something about it, it's not going to change. The incentives are too strong, and the punishment is too unlikely.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Can we just be real for a second? Everyone is dealing under the table to get kids to their school. EVERYONE.

If BU was still at OSU, people here would assume he knew about it. But because he's now our coach, he's innocent until proven guilty. :suspicious:

Sure maybe Underwood has plausible deniability. Like most good coaches at this level, he probably does. But please, these coaches know what's going on. When coaches talk about what great "relationships" an asst coach has, it's not rocket science to figure out what they're talking about.

Recruiting in CBB has gotten completely out of hand, and until the NCAA either dissolves or does something about it, it's not going to change. The incentives are too strong, and the punishment is too unlikely.

or unless the FBI provides so much evidence the have to do something, which is what is likely to happen. Like you say, too many people know too much to be willing to lie under a federal subpoena. To the NCAA, maybe, but not to a federal court.

 

[RichBradIllini]

No, there's nothing implicit but the level of activity by Evans and the idea Underwood would have known nothing is hopeful. I mean there is a LOT going on there.

If it's true Evans gave a recruits mom $2000 to maintain a commitment that involves the NCAA and 'institutional control'.

There connections between Underwood, Boynton, Evans and Martin are strong and these guys have crossed paths many times over the years.

Mike Boynton
2008–2013 South Carolina (assistant)
2013–2016 Stephen F. Austin (assistant)
2016–2017 Oklahoma State (head coach)

Lamont Evans
Oklahoma State – Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (2017-Pr)
Oklahoma State - Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator (2016-17)
South Carolina - Assistant Coach (2012-16)
Kansas State - Assistant Coach (2011-12), Graduate Manager (2009-11), Student Assistant (2008-09)

Brad Underwood
2006–2012 Kansas State (asst.)
2012–2013 South Carolina (asst.)
2013–2016 Stephen F. Austin
2016–2017 Oklahoma State
2017–present Illinois

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Jeff Borzello‏Verified account @jeffborzello 3m3 minutes ago

Top-10 prospect Anfernee Simons has decommitted from Louisville.

 

[Obelix]

I recommend people watching the video of the FBI/prosecutors explaining their case. The case has two parts:

The first part is about assistants receiving cash and benefits in exchange for agents steering recruits their way, and then steering them back to the agents. Fours assistants (including Lamont Evans) have been charged. There is currently no connection that has been made by the FBI, implicating the head coaches. None (at the moment).

The second part of the FBI case is agents/companies funneling large sums of money to recruits' families in exchange of their recruits attending a specific school/coach. While Louisville was not directly identified, only as "public research university located in Kentucky", it was later confirmed that the school was indeed Louisville. Jurich and Pitino were implicated in the second part of the case, which (by FBI) is different than the first part. If Illinois was the school named in second part, you can guarantee that the HC and AD would have also been placed on leave or fired.

Underwood and Pitino/Jurich are not comparable cases.

 

[TownieMatt]

or unless the FBI provides so much evidence the have to do something, which is what is likely to happen. Like you say, too many people know too much to be willing to lie under a federal subpoena. To the NCAA, maybe, but not to a federal court.

That's where things get really interesting. Yes, these assistants broke the law, but they aren't hardened criminals. They're just doing what every other successful recruiting assistant is doing. HUGE motivation to come forward and say what they know.

I sincerely hope that the FBI comes down on the NCAA as a whole, not just individual coaches. They're totally complicate in this. They know what's happening. They know the influence shoe companies have. They just have no incentive to do anything about it.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Evan Daniels‏Verified account
@EvanDaniels

Five-star PG Courtney Ramey just decommitted from Louisville, his father, Terrell Ramey, tells Scout | Story: http://scout.com/college/basketball...ney-Ramey-decommits-from-Louisville-108070851 …

 

[Jakthemaniac]

It's like talking to a wall, but I guess I'll keep doing it....



Just because the FBI doesn't indict someone doesn't mean they don't have anything on someone. They just don't have enough to indict...that's it. That's all you can reasonably conclude. The risk is (albeit a small one) that BU was Evans' boss, and before then, his colleague, and now they're gonna turn up the heat on Evans to talk. That MAY give them enough to indict *IF* there's anything there. This is standard operating procedure for cases like this..Again, I still don't think they're going to find much, but to categorically say that they have NOTHING on him is short-sighted.



But agree with you on the NCAA side.

This is spot on. Let's keep in mind, too, that 10 indictments is a suspiciously round number, and the FBI has been very open that the investigation is ongoing. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see more come down relatively quickly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 10676]

This will be going on for a long time. And everybody has got to be nervous.

Jerry Meyer‏ @jerrymeyer247 4m4 minutes ago

The FBI isn't playing. Agent Andy Miller's agency raided and computer taken. Nike EYBL employees and documents subpoenaed.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

An interesting byproduct of this investigation might be the ramifications seen on the AAU scene.

 

[Mike]

Can we just be real for a second? Everyone is dealing under the table to get kids to their school. EVERYONE.

If BU was still at OSU, people here would assume he knew about it. But because he's now our coach, he's innocent until proven guilty. :suspicious:

Sure maybe Underwood has plausible deniability. Like most good coaches at this level, he probably does. But please, these coaches know what's going on. When coaches talk about what great "relationships" an asst coach has, it's not rocket science to figure out what they're talking about.

Recruiting in CBB has gotten completely out of hand, and until the NCAA either dissolves or does something about it, it's not going to change. The incentives are too strong, and the punishment is too unlikely.

Well I for one hypocritically hope blue bloods get some of what they deserve, and we get to naively pat ourselves on the back for being one of the good guys.

Having said that, yeah there has to be a lot of money changing hands all over the place. Just look at the top AAU programs with poor inner city kids being flown around the country to play for full time coaches...all the money that pays for that comes from somewhere. There is just too much money to be made for a large portion of folks not to cheat.

 

[Obelix]

So to me, this article just put OSU in the NCAA crosshairs of recruiting violations. As has been stated here, the head coach is accountable for the actions of the assistant.

You have to separate the criminal/federal case versus a potential NCAA case and associated penalties. BU has not currently been accused in the criminal case. The FBI does not care about NCAA penalties, recruiting violations, etc. they care about federal criminal/felony charges.

If the criminal case finds the assistants guilty, then indeed, the NCAA may apply penalties, probation, etc. also to HC (if they choose to) and schools where assistants/HC were at. But the NCAA can't enforce penalties to the the new school (UI in this case) where the HC ended up after committing those violations. Of course if the NCAA penalizes BU severely, UI will most likely fire him and terminate his contract.

 

[Johnny Lawrence]

If (and this is a massive if) Underwood ends up getting in some trouble, I would think we would be okay. We'd fire him and say we had no idea, and we'd move on. We'd be back to "rebuilding," but our program's reputation probably wouldn't take anywhere near as much of a hit as IU after Sampson, for example. Maybe wishful thinking, but that's how I see it.

With that said, I still say we come out 110% fine.

But then who we rebuild with? If only there was a Hall of Fame coach recently relieved of his duties elsewhere. :gossip:

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

But then who we rebuild with? If only there was a Hall of Fame coach recently relieved of his duties elsewhere. :gossip:

:hurl:

No

 

[Calvin]

We responded the same way as Louisville, and you are arguing that said action was the right thing to do? If so, then you must believe we are as culpable as Louisville.

:congrats: Most bizarre staw man argument I've seen in a long time.

 

[champaignchris]

But then who we rebuild with? If only there was a Hall of Fame coach recently relieved of his duties elsewhere. :gossip:

I bet he would completely rock an orange blazer.

 

[RichBradIllini]

You have to separate the criminal/federal case versus a potential NCAA case and associated penalties. BU has not currently been accused in the criminal case. The FBI does not care about NCAA penalties, recruiting violations, etc. they care about federal criminal/felony charges.

If the criminal case finds the assistants guilty, then indeed, the NCAA may apply penalties, probation, etc. also to HC (if they choose to) and schools where assistants/HC were at. But the NCAA can't enforce penalties to the the new school (UI in this case) where the HC ended up after committing those violations. Of course if the NCAA penalizes BU severely, UI will most likely fire him and terminate his contract.

Well, that's the concern. You want to go back to zero in a rebuild?

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Rush the Court‏
@rushthecourt

This is going to end with Big Baller Brand being the only clean sneaker company.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

Rush the Court‏
@rushthecourt

This is going to end with Big Baller Brand being the only clean sneaker company.

Ha ha ha, noice

 

[basementcheetos]

:congrats: Most bizarre staw man argument I've seen in a long time.

Wow, I gave way too much credit to the board, thought you guys would get it. I was pointing out the possible danger of a conclusion the average, uninformed sports fan could draw. In making said point I adopted that view point in my post-the possible view of the uninformed!! It was tongue in cheek. I consider this board to be the opposite of the average, uninformed fan, so I did not think I needed to be more obvious. I was wrong.

 

[Obelix]

Well, that's the concern. You want to go back to zero in a rebuild?

Of course not, but there is not much choice right now.