Top Cheating College Coaches

CBS Sports did a survey of D1 coaches as to who they think are the top cheaters.

Cal came in at #1.
Scott Drew came in at #2.

I think Calhoun was on the list as was Tom Crean and a few others.


Do people think Scott Drew cheats?

Without even looking at the full list, my guess would be that the list correlates directly to who brings in the most high-profile recruits year after year, regardless of any actual, foundational knowledge on rules violations.

Originally Posted by Getslow

Without even looking at the full list, my guess would be that the list correlates directly to who brings in the most high-profile recruits year after year, regardless of any actual, foundational knowledge on rules violations.

Not necessarily. Roy isn't on the list. Coach K isn't. Self isn't.

Well, went ahead and looked up the list. Frankly, count me in with those that say every big-time coach is using whatever tricks are at his disposal to get good recruits and win games, but I can see justification for why people picked the way they did.

Calipari - It's a survey and facts notwithstanding, the reputation he has is nearly universal.
Drew - I get it. How else do you explain getting great recruits to come to Waco, Texas and go to Baylor?
Howland - Direct result of his recruiting class from this year.
Calhoun - Pretty much votes for himself doesn't he?
Crean and Rice both only got three percent so whatever.

As for Coach K, Williams and Self, the arguments have pretty much been that these programs have special significance and do a lot of the recruiting for themselves. I don't necessarily know how much I believe that to be true or Matt Dougherty would have done a lot better at UNC.

Whatever, they all subvert the rules. You enjoy the games, hope your guy doesn't get caught, and try to think about the creepiness of the recruiting process as little as possible.

I've always felt all the big schools cheat. All of them.

Originally Posted by Randy Parker

I've always felt all the big schools cheat. All of them.

How many do "severe cheating?"

Originally Posted by Clyde

Not necessarily. Roy isn't on the list. Coach K isn't. Self isn't.

Which is funny considering...

Gifts were 'mistake,' Roy Williams says - College basketball- NBC Sports
Truth About Duke - Encyclopedia - Myron Piggie

I can't recall anything about Self though.

And this line is priceless.

Basically, folks just don't believe anybody could get the likes of Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans to Memphis -- or DeMarcus Cousins, Marquis Teague and Anthony Davis to Kentucky -- without some sort of assistance from somewhere.

Are you kidding? You're saying its suspicious that top players would want to play for the greatest program in college basketball history? Seriously? Kentucky has been at the top of college basketball for over 60 years.

Originally Posted by Randy Parker

I've always felt all the big schools cheat. All of them.

I agree with RP here...I'll bet they all cheat in some way, shape, or form. Any time $ is involved there is somebody trying to get theirs.

IMO Calhoun tops any list...

I'm still fascinated with Drew always being mentioned. Why do we think he gets mentioned?

I don't mind Cal being at #1, it usually correlates with success and jealousy among other programs.

Originally Posted by Clyde

I'm still fascinated with Drew always being mentioned. Why do we think he gets mentioned?

Because it's universally known that he cheats...

Originally Posted by UKMustangFan

Because it's universally known that he cheats...

But no evidence? Should we accept that as enough?

Originally Posted by Clyde

How many do "severe cheating?"

At least half. Purely a guess, though.

Originally Posted by Randy Parker

At least half. Purely a guess, though.

Which half do you guess Cal is in?

Originally Posted by Clyde

Which half do you guess Cal is in?

Let's just say I don't question for a second the Davis $200k story.

Is it because he is at UK that he's the innocent victim all of a sudden? Would this even be a thread if he was still at Memphis?

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

Is it because he is at UK that he's the innocent victim all of a sudden? Would this even be a thread if he was still at Memphis?

That's why I'm using Drew. We UK fans can remove our blue blinders.

Originally Posted by Clyde

That's why I'm using Drew. We UK fans can remove our blue blinders.

And Drew is definitely fishy. More fishy than Cal in my book for the reasons that have been said. How does a coach convince that kind of talent to come to Waco, Texas to play basketball? Doesn't make sense. But, if there's no evidence......

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

Is it because he is at UK that he's the innocent victim all of a sudden? Would this even be a thread if he was still at Memphis?

Who's claiming he's an innocent victim? I've long said I think every major sports coach cheats. There's varying degrees to be sure, but they all do it and cheating is cheating.

One of my favorite sayings when dealing with this topic is, "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying...". Do I think Cal cheats? Yes. Do I think Chris Mack cheats? Yes. How about Sean Woods when he was at MSVU? Absolutely.

I do believe Cal has vastly cut back on any shady activity since coming to UK, because he doesn't have to do as much, but that's the same for guys like K, Roy, Self, etc, and all the other boys at the big programs. I think the majority of the cheating comes from the Leonard Hamilton and Scott Drew's of the coaching world.

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

And Drew is definitely fishy. More fishy than Cal in my book for the reasons you said. How does a coach convince that kind of talent to come to Waco, Texas to play basketball? Doesn't make sense. But, if there's no evidence......

If there's no evidence he can't be guilty, right?