A Few Truths...

[SMUer]

It is unfortunate that we are the only school in D1A willing to sign marginal qualifiers. How will we ever compete?!?
^^^obviously not true^^^

What do big-time schools do? What's the pro-move?

[LA_Mustang]

Post season ban I assume that means we cannot play in the AAC Tournament this year. Right?

Good question. Just a guess but I don't think we can play in the AAC tourney since the winner gets an automatic bid. Therefore, I don't think the conference will allow it.

[LA_Mustang]

It is unfortunate that we are the only school in D1A willing to sign marginal qualifiers. How will we ever compete?!?
^^^obviously not true^^^

What do big-time schools do it? What's the pro-move?

They don't self report violations that would otherwise go undiscovered.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Excellent thread. One of the better discussions I've read on PF in awhile. I think not appealing the ban was the best choice. Didn't sound like there was much of a chance anyway.

[Hoop Fan]

So how do you think Louisville threw hookers at that kid and then he went to Ohio State? Hmmmm. Will that be asked/investigated? Doubtful. You don't punish what you don't choose to investigate. Anyway, time will tell if not appealing the post season ban was right. i think its a mistake not to fight and delay the punishment, especially if we are at risk of getting the APR ban next year too.

[gostangs]

Having a chance or not is almost irrelevant. You appeal the post season ban for three very good reasons:

1) We very likely have a sweet sixteen team - and we aren't getting one again anytime soon no matter what the sunshine's think. Appeal pushes the post season ban off a year worst case - and this is our year. We traded a sure thing for a "not very likely". Recruiting is going to suck for the next 24 months regardless - that recruiting excuse is a rationalization created by those who already decided they didn't want to appeal the ban.

2) It is an excessive penalty - therefore it is the right thing to do to protest it. We need to stop being mice and try to be men. Having a D-1 sports athletic department is not for the meek - and if we aren't going to at least defend ourselves how can you ask people to invest time and talent in the program? If i was Miller or Ford i would be livid, and reconsidering my options. As it is i am reconsidering my support at the level i am now, which is a sacrifice i have been willing to make, but not so sure now.

3) Not appealing the post season makes us look like we are admitedly chronic cheaters, especially to the non affiliated. Regardless of what the NCAA suspects, this was about one event and they are clearly punishing us over what they suspect is more than that, vs what they know. That is just wrong, and by not protesting we are basically saying they are right.

THis was a tragic decision that effects thousands of fans and others in the SMU community, and regardless of what the NCAA rules suggest we should have shown some back bone. And by the way - why are we the only ones that think the "level 1 NCAA minimum punishment rules" cannot be altered by an appeals committee. This idea will be proven wrong by some other school, likely very soon.

We will feel very stupid all over again when UNC and Louisville appeal whatever is coming their way and win. I think to an outsider (an some insiders) it appears we have administrators more worried about their standing among their peers than they are worried about SMU.

[Stallion]

for those that think SMU should have "stayed on the same page"-just wondering-should Keith Frazier have told the truth when he testified with immunity? The evidence of a Level 1 violation from Frazier's interview is overwhelming-and that's it in a nut shell

[couch 'em]

for those that think SMU should have "stayed on the same page"-just wondering-should Keith Frazier have told the truth when he testified with immunity?

It should never have gotten to that point

[Stallion]

so you are saying SMU should have covered up the academic cheating ie subjecting SMU to a lack of institutional control charge

[hoopmanx]

Having a chance or not is almost irrelevant. You appeal the post season ban for three very good reasons:

1) We very likely have a sweet sixteen team - and we aren't getting one again anytime soon no matter what the sunshine's think. Appeal pushes the post season ban off a year worst case - and this is our year. We traded a sure thing for a "not very likely". Recruiting is going to suck for the next 24 months regardless - that recruiting excuse is a rationalization created by those who already decided they didn't want to appeal the ban.

2) It is an excessive penalty - therefore it is the right thing to do to protest it. We need to stop being mice and try to be men. Having a D-1 sports athletic department is not for the meek - and if we aren't going to at least defend ourselves how can you ask people to invest time and talent in the program? If i was Miller or Ford i would be livid, and reconsidering my options. As it is i am reconsidering my support at the level i am now, which is a sacrifice i have been willing to make, but not so sure now.

3) Not appealing the post season makes us look like we are admitedly chronic cheaters, especially to the non affiliated. Regardless of what the NCAA suspects, this was about one event and they are clearly punishing us over what they suspect is more than that, vs what they know. That is just wrong, and by not protesting we are basically saying they are right.

THis was a tragic decision that effects thousands of fans and others in the SMU community, and regardless of what the NCAA rules suggest we should have shown some back bone. And by the way - why are we the only ones that think the "level 1 NCAA minimum punishment rules" cannot be altered by an appeals committee. This idea will be proven wrong by some other school, likely very soon.

We will feel very stupid all over again when UNC and Louisville appeal whatever is coming their way and win. I think to an outsider (an some insiders) it appears we have administrators more worried about their standing among their peers than they are worried about SMU.

1) We're good but don't have a ton of height up front. Tourney is about draw and match-ups. In no way are we a 'likely' Sweet 16 squad. It could happen, but look at last year. We imploded and our bracket was wide open.

Why are we not getting another 'Sweet 16' style team anytime soon? Why will recruiting definitely suck the next 24 months? Pretty definitive stuff w/o much to base it on

2) Excessive penalty or not, if you don't think they will drop it altogether, not just postpone it, you have to take the heat now. Otherwise, you've slit your wrists in '16 and '17 which means bottoming out into perpetuity. That's the only consideration here, remain competitive and win. You can't write off the program for one season. All of the juniors and frosh will transfer. You guard against that w/everything you have.

3) We've only been around as a dedicated program w/resources for 2 years. So far, we are chronic cheater. No doubt it was a wicked blow from the hated NCAA, but you have to look forward and safeguard the future.

[couch 'em]

so you are saying SMU should have covered up the academic cheating ie subjecting SMU to a lack of institutional control charge

There is no reason it should have even gotten out enough to be investigated. Total amateur hour. If he just sat in the room while the secretary took the class he could have talked his way through everything.

[hoopmanx]

so you are saying SMU should have covered up the academic cheating ie subjecting SMU to a lack of institutional control charge

There is no reason it should have even gotten out enough to be investigated. Total amateur hour. If he just sat in the room while the secretary took the class he could have talked his way through everything.

Did anyone ever consider she took lots of tests and wrote lots of papers? Makes sense, cause that's how you get dudes who read at a 6th grade level through

[2ndandlong]

Thank you hoopmanx.

[gostangs]

I think this year will be more athletic inside, which will make up for height, and last years team was one crappy call from walking into the sweet sixteen. I think this is our team and we are walking away.

I also think recruiting will be subpar due to our restrictions, plus we only have half the staff we used to have as far as effectiveness.

You make some good points though, and I will hope for the best while thinking we squandered something special.

[Mestengo]

You know what they do to snitches in Chicago?