http:///insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/columns/story?columnist=bilas_jay&id=4227055&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dbil

as_jay%26id%3d4227055

 

You have to have an insider account to read the whole story, but it is the best column I have read on this subject.

Well...what does it say? We aren't all insiders.

 

A summary?

I read the entire article on another site.

 

It's a really well constructed article that is right on target. He gives the national media the shame-on-you treatment. Basicly tells them to lay off Calipari, Memphis, and Kentucky. Says there is no proof of anything against Calipari and to stop using the Camby case as such, that Calpari had been cleared of any knowledge in that case, and per NCAA he had no knowledge of what Rose did either.

Well...what does it say? We aren't all insiders.

 

A summary?

 

So far, the biggest target in this saga has been Calipari. Because we have this ridiculous notion that the head coach is responsible for everything that goes on in his program, Calipari is taking the blame even though his name is not even mentioned in the Notice of Allegations.

 

And to continue to discredit Calipari with references to wrongdoing he played no part in is simply wrong. If there is evidence that Calipari knew about or participated in the alleged academic fraud, then bring it forward.

 

"There is no burden of proof for the NCAA to satisfy when it makes allegations. None. The NCAA is investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner. The NCAA is allowed to believe or disbelieve anyone involved in the process, and is allowed to consider or disregard whatever evidence it likes, no matter how unreliable it might be. It is a stacked and unfair process; there are legitimate ethical questions at every step"

 

? Nowhere in the Notice was John Calipari's name mentioned, and no allegation of improper conduct was made against Calipari.

 

? Nowhere in the Notice was the University of Memphis charged with "lack of institutional control."

 

Call me old-fashioned, but I require established facts and evidence before I call someone a cheater. I am not naive about the way things work in basketball, because I see it every day. But there is a difference between the problems with the culture in the game and making specific allegations of academic fraud against an individual. We all share the blame collectively for what is going on in the game, but we should require more evidence and hard facts before we indict any individual.

Thanks to Jay. I was listening to espn on the way home yesterday and the guy filling in for Tirico and Van Pelt was going on a rant about Calipari. Basically if this and if that. Well wait until everythings been investgated and then make comments. Mark Story's article about this hire giving Todd a black eye was way off base as far as I'm concerned. The Camby thing was 13 years ago and I firmly believe if the NCAA could've proved anything against Cal they would have. If Rose is innocent he should sue the NCAA for defamation of character. If they had suspicions they should've never made him eligible in the first place. Now this Dorsey stuff is coming up from a source well if the source is so sure about it give us a name. I'm with Jay innocent until proven guilty. Heck, I grew up in a family of 5 and my parents were fairly strict, and I did thing they will never know.

I've said several times since he became a candidate for the UK job that there are two schools of thought with Calipari, and it appears that it will remain two schools of thought for the foreseeable future. They are:

 

1) Innocent until proven guilty

2) Where there's smoke there's fire

 

Both thoughts can be justified. The people who think he's clean will always point to the fact that he has actually not been implicated in anything really, and that any argument against him is circumstantial. Those who think he's dirty will always point that there has been trouble at each school he has coached and that that should be taken as a sign he's shady.

Good read.

Bilas is the best in the business IMHO.

Thanks to Jay. I was listening to espn on the way home yesterday and the guy filling in for Tirico and Van Pelt was going on a rant about Calipari. Basically if this and if that. Well wait until everythings been investgated and then make comments. Mark Story's article about this hire giving Todd a black eye was way off base as far as I'm concerned. The Camby thing was 13 years ago and I firmly believe if the NCAA could've proved anything against Cal they would have. If Rose is innocent he should sue the NCAA for defamation of character. If they had suspicions they should've never made him eligible in the first place. Now this Dorsey stuff is coming up from a source well if the source is so sure about it give us a name. I'm with Jay innocent until proven guilty. Heck, I grew up in a family of 5 and my parents were fairly strict, and I did thing they will never know.

 

Most of what Mark Story writes is off base. He's terrible.

Bilas is the best in the business IMHO.

 

He just has a small blemish on his record though:sssh:

Excellent read, wonderful points, and well written!

I've said several times since he became a candidate for the UK job that there are two schools of thought with Calipari, and it appears that it will remain two schools of thought for the foreseeable future. They are:

 

1) Innocent until proven guilty

2) Where there's smoke there's fire

 

Both thoughts can be justified. The people who think he's clean will always point to the fact that he has actually not been implicated in anything really, and that any argument against him is circumstantial. Those who think he's dirty will always point that there has been trouble at each school he has coached and that that should be taken as a sign he's shady.

 

I fall into the camp that believes what I have bolded.

 

I think Calipari is simply a great motivator, talker, and recruiter. When a coach brings in great players why do some people automatically think they couldn't have done it without breaking rules. Why should it mean they're sleazy, dirty, or guilty of something? Does Roy Williams and Coach K get this treatment? They also bring in great players!

 

I agree with Bilas. Calipari has never been found guilty of anything by the NCAA, and believe me they have probably tried very much to find something. Why does the media want to imply he has done something wrong. What Camby did he did on his own. Same as Maggette did with Coach K at Duke. Those things happen occasionally if one coaches long enough. What Rose did he did on his own. Calipari had no way of knowing. Calipari is clean as can be IMHO. He will also be as clean as a clear spring morning while at UK. I'm very impressed with him.

 

Just my take on the subject.

I fall into the camp that believes what I have bolded.

 

I think Calipari is simply a great motivator, talker, and recruiter. When a coach brings in great players why do some people automatically think they couldn't have done it without breaking rules. Why should it mean they're sleazy, dirty, or guilty of something? Does Roy Williams and Coach K get this treatment? They also bring in great players!

 

I agree with Bilas. Calipari has never been found guilty of anything by the NCAA, and believe me they have probably tried very much to find something. Why does the media want to imply he has done something wrong. What Camby did he did on his own. Same as Maggette did with Coach K at Duke. Those things happen occasionally if one coaches long enough. What Rose did he did on his own. Calipari had no way of knowing. Calipari is clean as can be IMHO. He will also be as clean as a clear spring morning while at UK. I'm very impressed with him.

 

Just my take on the subject.

Tremendous points!!!

Thanks to the posters that provided the info on what Bilas said in the article. I have been one that has been critical of Bilas in the past and I probably will again sometime but I really really liked his comments here. Bilas's comments suprised me in a way, not bc it was that Calapari is now at U.K. (no anti U.K. conspiracy accusation here:lol) rather maybe he would have leaned more the other way about Cal always being implicated/where there is smoke there is fire type deal.

As for me being critical of Bilas, maybe it is that to me he gives off an ( I'm Jay Bilas and your not) better than though attiude and I don't like that kind of thing. Bilas is a very good game announcer imo. I am glad he made these comments.

Atta boy Jay :thumb:.......I liked it even if it did come from a "Dukie".:lol:

(in a tongue-in-cheek tone)

 

Articles like this and the fact that Jay Bilas picked UNC to win it all is why I am going to circulate a petition to have the words "Dukie" and "Jay Bilas" stricken from being allowed to be used in the same sentence. He isn't a true Dukie at heart. I can't stand Jay Bilas. Traitor.

 

He'll never be better than Duke, I mean Dick Vitale........