Now that Memorial day weekend is over and we’ve all had a time to recognize those serving in our military, let’s try to wrap our heads around this Eric Bledsoe situation. The New York Times released an article on Friday and watching the media react the 48 hours following has been more than interesting. In all, it seems like a really bad episode of Desperate Housewives.
We’ll just start with what we know…
[LIST=1]
[*]The New York Times doesn’t really know anything
[*]Someone released Bledsoe’s high school transcripts
[*]Blesoe’s grades were in question earlier and received an exhaustive review from the NCAA before being cleared.
[*]Maurice Ford has been accused of paying Bledsoe’s rent ($1,200)
[*]Greg Doyle from CBS tells the NYT to bring some facts to the table or “shaddup”
[*]Immediate media reaction is to blame Calipari
[*]Few members of the media have backed off the Calipari bashing.
[*]Some Major media outlets continue to go for the headlines by making this a Calipari issue even when they offer zero facts and/or new information.
[*]The Rent payment could be an issue (but I can’t really see anything happening over 1,200).
[*]It’s been reported that Bledsoe is considering suing whoever released his transcripts
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So it looks like CAT fans can expect for the major media outlets to continue to make this a much larger of an issue that it really is. Why do I think this isn’t a major issue? Because this type of “payment” happens at every high school in the country and I’m glad that it does. Who in their right mind would not want someone in need not to receive whatever it takes to keep a roof over their head.
The NCAA is a self governing body that polices itself. Their rules have an area of “gray” that allows them to treat each issue differently. This can be good and bad. It’s bad if it results in their decisions being unfair and inconsistent. It’s good because it gives the NCAA an opportunity to evaluate each issue on it’s own merits. In the issue with the alleged rent payment, it would allow the NCAA to consider that by not receiving the payment, Bledsoe and his family could have been living in a car. If they rule that makes him ineligible to play, I think I may lose all hope for humanity.
[B][U]Calipari[/U][/B]
Now what about Calipari? I think the above concerns will not pan out to anything major, but if it did, what would your stance be?
The national media (not all, but most) are taking this as an opportunity to take a shot at our coach. UK fans are quick to point out that this is an issue with the High School, not UK and/or Calipari. Would UK fans support Calipari and stand behind him if things turned south or would they say it’s part of his job to know the risk and avoid them at all cost? If the NCAA did ask us to vacate last years record (no UK2K), would you hold Calipari responsible at the end of the day?
If we do not learn anything else from the Bledsoe situation, I would have to side with Calipari. I do feel as that Coach Cal is responsible for knowing the risk associated with all recruits, but I can honestly see how $1,200 for rent would be overlooked (and should be overlooked).
[B]
So what do you think? If UK2K was no more, would you still hold Coach Cal responsible?[/B]
