The **** Hits the Fan

[Stallion]

the WAC Fan Forum is abuzz with revealations in todays Fresno Bee that numerous Fresno BB players have had their term papers written by school officials for correspondence courses. The evidence appears rather substantial. Of course, Fresno fans are already spinning that their FB non-qualifiers are hard working kids looking for a second chance while Tarkanian is to blame for the BB mess.

[HorsePower]

Classic Fresno spin-doctoring.

Hard to believe they'd blame the legend (Tark) who put that school on the basketball map. When he was there, that school was under an SMUfootball-like microscope, and when something went wrong (academic shortcomings, etc.), Tark seemed fairly honest about it. Was he completely clean? I seriously doubt it. But it seems really low to dump all the school's current problems on the guy who made the nation notice the school was there in the first place/

[PX]

This is kind of funny. I first read about this on Fresno's message board before Christmas, in an argument between Fresno and San Jose State fans about who had the lowest standards, and which school was a bigger embarrassment to the rest of the WAC. The argument was hilarious by itself, but now I'm wondering if one of the people arguing was this Mintz guy who wrote the papers. The article says he is a frequent contributor to the Bark Board.

[Stallion]

PX and all fans-I just went to the BarkBoard and there is one of the most incredible exchanges I've ever seen on a message board. This Mintz character who is the source for the story has written his extended version in which he clearly admits all the allegations but excuses his behavior as trying to protect certain "friends". This has created an incredible firestorm of criticism of the person who finally admitted the truth. I think about 1% of the responses had anything critical to say about the lack of institutional control of the university. Sounds a lot like SMU fans sounded in the 1980s.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 02-09-2003).]

[Charleston Pony]

Meanwhile, as the debate rages on which of the two schools (Fresno or San Jose) is the most hospitable towards "academic risks", looks like San Jose may be the place Tyson Thompson finally qualifies to attend. I'm sure those other schools mentioned would have loved to have signed him, but I'm also assuming they didn't offer because of the academic risk.

<A HREF="http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleges/national/stories/020903dnirvthompson.61d97.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleges/national/stories/020903dnirvthompson.61d97.html</A>

[PX]

Yeah, that was him, FSUInsideGuy. Some very interesting quotes in that article, particularly from Terrance Roberson. Its also interesting that most of the main players were also in the documentary made about Fresno a few years ago, "Behind The Madness". In the documentary you can see Felton "helping" Roberson write a paper, her doing the typing as Roberson falls asleep the chair next to her.
I have no doubt that the newspaper lied to Mintz, just as he claims, but just when I was starting to feel a little sympathy for the guy he comes up with the line about being willing to do it all again. Unbelievable.

[EmeraldCityPony]

So what does this mean for the future of Fresno State basketball?

[Nacho]

Is it okay if Fresno plays other junior colleges?

[EastStang]

Its too early to tell. I suspect though that the NCAA will throw the book at Fresno because hiring Tarkanian really ticked off the NCAA. Since they were soft on Minnesota for essentially the same violations, I suspect that they'll slam Fresno, just to get some credibility and who cares they're only in the WAC, right? Sound familiar?

[Johnny Rock]

Fresno State's punishment: They will win the WAC; go to the tournament; and get a few scholarships taken away.

[PX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Johnny Rock:
<B>Fresno State's punishment: They will win the WAC; go to the tournament; and get a few scholarships taken away. </B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They may not go to the tournament. It hasnt been mentioned, but Fresno is already in trouble for something different. I dont know if you remember, but several basketball players were getting free meals at a chinese restaraunt, and there were a few other bits and pieces along with that. The NCAA is supposed to hand down its punishment for that business at the end of February, and most people think it could include a post-season ban. Fresno has asked that the ban be applied to the 2004 and 2005 school years, but that doesnt mean the NCAA will go along. it could be this year, as well.
This may sound a bit harsh for just some free meals, but compare it to what happened here with Steve Malin, and the situations are pretty similar. The NCAA could hit Fresno hard, as someone noted above they have been waiting for a chance to get back at Tarkanian.

[FloridaMustang]

And the **** goes national:
<A HREF="http://espn.go.com/ncb/news/2003/0210/1506843.html" TARGET=_blank>http://espn.go.com/ncb/news/2003/0210/1506843.html</A> (front page news)

[BTPony]

How long till the "Birds of a Feather" allegations begin? I understand the two schools are on a completely diferent playing field in regards to academics but the association stinks. We need out of the WAC!

[KnuckleStang]

I think what The Tark meant to say was that he has never admitted to academic fraud in his 37 years of coaching.

[OldPony]

Actually Tark paid someone to write his response.