Breaking: NCAA Investigating the UConn Men's Basketball Team
[Connecticut Post] – The NCAA has notified UConn of an inquiry into its men’s basketball program, Hearst Connecticut Media has learned and the school confirmed Thursday. While the full nature of the inquiry is uncertain, some, if not all, involves areas of recruiting, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
“Based on our own, NCAA-mandated internal review following allegations directed at men’s basketball programs last fall, we had already retained [law firm] Lightfoot, Franklin and White to assist us in a review of our men’s basketball program,” the school said in its statement. “We will continue to work with them during the NCAA inquiry.”
So here’s some possible serious breaking news in the world of college basketball. UConn is currently under investigation by the NCAA for breaking recruiting rules. Now, it’s worth mentioning it’s been talked about not being tied to the FBI investigation so at least that’s one positive to take from here. However, this has the potential to be a serious disaster for Kevin Ollie and Connecticut basketball.
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It’s no secret that UConn has struggled this year and the last few years under Ollie. Supporters of the coach will talk about his run to the national championship in 2014, but those who want him out will talk about how he won with Calhoun’s guys and it was really just Shabazz Napier that won him the title. Either way, Ollie hasn’t lived up to the hype since that title. His offensive scheme is lacking to say the least and development of players as a head coach hasn’t happened.
This could be the one that gets him fired. The state simply can’t afford to pay him/his buyout and another high-level coach at the moment and that’s the real reason as to why most think Ollie will be back. But, if there’s an out in terms of recruiting violations to go along with missing the NCAA Tournament, you’ll have to think Connecticut will try and pull the trigger and figure out how to avoid any payment. Ollie is under contract for the next three years or I believe the buyout is roughly $9 million. We don’t know who the recruit or commit was in terms of these violations or even what the violations they are being investigated are, but either way this isn’t a good look at the moment.
We’ve never seen a true coaching search at UConn, which would be fascinating to see if Ollie does in fact leave or gets fired. If I was on that search my calls would be:
1. Steve Pikiell
2. Danny Hurley
3. John Becker
4. Tom Crean
5. Eric Musselman