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Mike Miller

Mike Miller has been NBCSports.com's college basketball editor since 2003. It's a position he relishes; no wonder considering he transferred to Kansas to watch Paul Pierce play. Most of his favorite sports memories involve college hoops, usually during March, when every waking moment is spent thinking about March Madness.



Kansas, USC -- what's going on in hoops?

Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2008 8:54 PM
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When the NCAA tournament seedings were announced, it was easy to spot some similarities between this year’s Kansas team and the Danny Manning-led version 20 years ago.

Both teams played in Lincoln, Neb., before traveling to Michigan for the regional semifinals. “Danny and the Miracles” beat a favored Oklahoma team for the championship, while Mario’s Miracle sealed the title against favored Memphis this season.

But Kansas wasn’t able to defend the 1988 title because of an NCAA rules violation. Could there now be one more similarity?

A report that forward Darrell Arthur had his grades changed in high school – thus making him ineligible to play for the Jayhawks – must leave Kansas fans unnerved at the thought of having an NCAA title stripped. At the least, it puts a damper on a joyous school year for the basketball and football teams.

The editorial page editor at the K.C. Star says it’s a no-brainer to take away the title if Arthur’s grades were changed. (Cast your vote here.)

Arthur, who declared for the NBA draft, is frustrated by the report. So are some Memphis fans, though looking through the comments on this story, most of them don’t want to be handed the title.

Kansas officials are optimistic – “I can't see this affecting Kansas or Darrell Arthur. The school sent his transcript to the clearinghouse, and they approved it," associate athletic director Jim Marchiony told the Wichita Eagle – but realize an NCAA investigation is likely forthcoming.

As to hurting the school’s image, that’s up for debate. The NCAA cleared Arthur to play, which makes it tough to fault the school.

Still, just because Kansas isn’t at fault doesn’t mean it won’t receive some kind of punishment. The question is just how stiff will that punishment be? And is it that much different from what USC is going through with O.J. Mayo?

Maybe Mike DeCourcy is right. Maybe the whole sport is corrupt.

Can we fix it soon?

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Comments

I realize that the NCAA will be investigating, however, there is only so much that KU can be punished for.  If KU knew that Arthur's grades were changed, then they are going to be in trouble, however, technically it is the NCAA's fault for clearing him in the first place.  If people like to think that there is an army of school officials checking up on every recruit that gets offered a scholarship, they are sorely mistaken.  Most of the time its just the coach and his assistant coaches.  So, basically what the NCAA is saying is that the only way that Kansas could be accused of the "lack of institutional control" charge is if Bill Self knew and had proof of this grade changing scheme before or during Arthur's time at Kansas.  Judgeing by his recent no-nonsense attitude towards athletes that break rules, (J.R. Giddons, C.J. Giles) I seriously doubt that Bill Self would risk his reputation in such a way.

John Myers, St. Louis, MO (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 10:35 AM)

It is absurd to Hold ku responsible.
The NCAA is the one that cleared the student to play
There is a more dosturbing issue, a teacher has zero right to show a students grades to anyone.
tHE STATION AND TEACHER VIOLATED AN INDIVIDUALS RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND SHOULD BE PROSECUTED. hOW WOULD YOU LIKE A TEACHER OPENING A GRADE BOOK ON YOUR CHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KEN (Sent Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:18 PM)

Terrible....just terrible...I mean, how can I raise my children in a world where NCAA sports are tarnished by grade violations and money?  I long for the halcyon days of early 90's basketball: Runnin' Rebels, Michigan...now those were great teams filled with guys you could bring home to meet your Grandma-ma.    

Eli, Manchester CT (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 11:48 AM)

The question is how did he pass the math section of the ACT/SAT if there are passing scores then something is amiss. I find it hard to believe that this young man is innocent in any of this. If it is determined that he committed academic fraud to play for the university then the title, rings, and the MOP trophy must be forfeited and the game vacated. The downside is that Coach Calipari will be allowed to forget the National Championship that he threw away and Coach Self will have to give up the title that he righfully earned. The fact that Rock Chalk Jayhawk will be silenced is not any consolation to this University of Memphis fan.    

Angela Cross Memphis,Tennessee (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 5:00 PM)

Considering how Bill Self has built up a reputation as someone who doesn't tolerate any of this kind of stuff...it baffles me that people are so quick to say he might be at fault.

The NCAA Clearinghouse cleared him to play; KU had nothing to do with that decision.  Now if it turns out he wasn't eligible, why should the penalty fall on KU?  What’s the point of having a player cleared through the NCAA if the blame for any mistakes would still fall on the school?  I just don't get it.

I know how Self is running the program well enough that he would not have allowed Arthur to play at his school if he knew about the changed grades. Furthermore, I think any person who thinks that KU should be punished in any way for this need to take off their jealousy glasses as I’ve yet to hear one person who has a full understanding of the situation be for punishing the school.

Daniel (Houston, Tx) (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:42 PM)

It's not so much that the whole system is corrupt.  It's that the system is unsustainable.  You simply can't expect to generate as much revenue as college football and basketball do today and keep the athletes themselves in a bubble of amateurism.  It just won't work from the standpoint of basic human behavior, and we're seeing the signs that the whole system is starting to fall apart under its own weight.

kj (spartans weblog) (Sent Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:36 PM)

The timing is also really suspect. If a player flunks a class you know he needs and he still graduates, that would be a red flag if I was that teacher...but yet this doesn't blow up until two years later and AFTER KU wins the title.

It just smells bad....all I'm saying. Also, I agree with the sentiment that the NCAA audits KU...not the other way around...and it's a complete joke to expect KU to take the lead on something that is not their responsibility.

Self doesn't tolerate dirty players...the past has proved that.

Ryan Donovan - Olathe, KS (Sent Friday, May 23, 2008 2:02 PM)



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