Bear Down Wildcats

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

dmjcat wrote:

CatHoops wrote:Anyone think we self sanction with a post season ban?

Very, very possible.

In fact, self sanctioning and taking the hit now may very well be the smart move. The best (realistic) outcome for the UA is to take the punishment immediately and get it out of the way. The uncertainty will only drive recruits away (its already happening). If we self sanction and are lucky, the NCAA might agree with the punishment and all we lose is the 2018 tournament and probably a scholarship or two for a couple of years. The uncertainty might clear up before the end of the season and the damage to future recruiting classes would be minimized.

If we wait for the NCAA to sanction us, and play in the 2018 tournament, we might end up with a multi-year ban on postseason play. In that event recruiting would be destroyed for 2018, 2019 and 2020. We might not recover until the middle of the next decade. Taking the hit now and minimizing the damage to recruiting may very well be the smart route.

I've previously posted about how bad I think this idea is. The NCAA will add to self sanctions. The important part is not timing, but whether any self-imposed sanctions wind up being something appropriate for violations.

You don't earn any brownie points by self imposing too light a penalty. You harm yourself by self imposing too harsh a penalty. You do something good by self imposing a correct penalty.

dmjcat wrote: After 2-3 years of 3 star level recruits the UA basketball team will be in the same place as the UA football team.

dmjcat wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

dmjcat wrote:

CatHoops wrote:Anyone think we self sanction with a post season ban?

Very, very possible.

In fact, self sanctioning and taking the hit now may very well be the smart move. The best (realistic) outcome for the UA is to take the punishment immediately and get it out of the way. The uncertainty will only drive recruits away (its already happening). If we self sanction and are lucky, the NCAA might agree with the punishment and all we lose is the 2018 tournament and probably a scholarship or two for a couple of years. The uncertainty might clear up before the end of the season and the damage to future recruiting classes would be minimized.

If we wait for the NCAA to sanction us, and play in the 2018 tournament, we might end up with a multi-year ban on postseason play. In that event recruiting would be destroyed for 2018, 2019 and 2020. We might not recover until the middle of the next decade. Taking the hit now and minimizing the damage to recruiting may very well be the smart route.

I've previously posted about how bad I think this idea is. The NCAA will add to self sanctions. The important part is not timing, but whether any self-imposed sanctions wind up being something appropriate for violations.

You don't earn any brownie points by self imposing too light a penalty. You harm yourself by self imposing too harsh a penalty. You do something good by self imposing a correct penalty.

Completely disagree.............its ALL about TIMING

If we self-sanction ourselves in 2018 and the NCAA agreed we would essentially limit the recruiting damage to the early signers this year. Wait, and we write off at least 2018 and 2019 (and possibly more). After 2-3 years of 3 star level recruits the UA basketball team will be in the same place as the UA football team.

Waiting to take our lumps down the road will only exacerbate the overall damage to the program.

What Miller and the UA need is certainty.......and to get this mess in the rear view mirror as quickly as possible.

Alieberman wrote:Our future recruiting is going to be fine.

All we have to do to start paying more.

Bosy Billups wrote:Why couldn't this exact statement been made the same day? Glad it was made nonetheless. <3 CSM

Longhorned wrote:

Bosy Billups wrote:Why couldn't this exact statement been made the same day? Glad it was made nonetheless. <3 CSM

You can't gather the information underlying that statement same day. That statement says a ton.

CalStateTempe wrote:

Longhorned wrote:

Bosy Billups wrote:Why couldn't this exact statement been made the same day? Glad it was made nonetheless. <3 CSM

You can't gather the information underlying that statement same day. That statement says a ton.

It really does. It's the "words" behind the words.

Bear down we're competing for a chipper!

conny24 wrote:

CalStateTempe wrote:

Longhorned wrote:

Bosy Billups wrote:Why couldn't this exact statement been made the same day? Glad it was made nonetheless. <3 CSM

You can't gather the information underlying that statement same day. That statement says a ton.

It really does. It's the "words" behind the words.

Bear down we're competing for a chipper!

Best part (at least in my hopeful thinking) is the source - Arizona Athletics. Hope I'm not reading too much into that.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

conny24 wrote:

CalStateTempe wrote:

Longhorned wrote:

Bosy Billups wrote:Why couldn't this exact statement been made the same day? Glad it was made nonetheless. <3 CSM

You can't gather the information underlying that statement same day. That statement says a ton.

It really does. It's the "words" behind the words.

Bear down we're competing for a chipper!

Best part (at least in my hopeful thinking) is the source - Arizona Athletics. Hope I'm not reading too much into that.

Ha. I was literally writing the same thing above when you posted. The source is easily, easily, easily the best thing about that. Unless Heeke is a total moron, official backing for Miller is a really good sign right now.

Bosy Billups wrote:Statement also implies no one will be suspended or ineligible on the team, right?

CatFanOneMil wrote:Zack Clark fucking threw Miller under the bus for this statement basically said "See he's guilty" I only had it on because I had to drive from La Cholla to Speedway, Fuck Zack Clark with a loaded Bazooka.

rgdeuce wrote:To the best of my ability = I'm a good dude in a dirty business

Dear Arizona Family,

One week ago, our University community learned of the arrest of a member of our men’s basketball coaching staff, a result of a Department of Justice probe into criminal wrongdoing in college basketball. At the time of the revelation, I reiterated our commitment to compliance and to the high ethical standards that we demand of our entire university community.

Since arriving on campus in June, I have come to understand a great deal about our institution, specifically the incredible students, faculty, staff, and supporters who make Arizona unique. But I have also taken heart in the core values that go hand-in-hand with our daily work. Those values are why I have a responsibility to all of you to discover the truth in this matter, to take action if warranted, and to ensure that our policies and practices related to athletics compliance are among the best in the nation.

To that end, I want to share with you steps that we have taken to live up to our values.

· Upon learning of the indictment, we immediately consulted with the Office of the General Counsel and engaged in communications with officials from both the NCAA and PAC-12 Conference.

· We initiated formal dismissal proceedings against Emanuel Richardson, the assistant men’s basketball coach charged by federal prosecutors. Mr. Richardson was immediately relieved of all duties.

· At my direction, our Office of the General Counsel retained Steptoe & Johnson LLP, an internationally recognized law firm, to initiate an independent review of the allegations leveled by the Department of Justice against Mr. Richardson. Their review includes all of the allegations related to Arizona contained in the criminal complaints issued last week and any related legal issues or compliance concerns arising from those complaints. While the University is retaining the firm, I have given investigators my assurances that they have complete independence in their work. The investigative team is led by Paul Charlton, the Managing Partner of Steptoe’s Phoenix office and a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. The work of investigators from Steptoe’s Phoenix and Chicago offices began on Monday and will be completed as efficiently and as comprehensively as possible. We will share the results of their review.

· The University has also retained outside counsel to assist the institution with the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation, as well as with potential NCAA matters. Jackson Lewis is a world-renowned firm recognized for their expertise in complex criminal and civil cases, as well as in issues involving professional and collegiate sports. Attorney Paul Kelly, a highly respected former Assistant U.S. Attorney and trial attorney and Gregg Clifton, an accomplished sports lawyer and litigator, are leading the team. Jackson Lewis attorneys Gene Marsh, former Chair of the NCAA Committee on Infractions and one of the most widely respected attorneys in the field of NCAA enforcement matters, and John Long, an attorney with extensive experience in NCAA enforcement, eligibility, and compliance issues, will represent Arizona in any matters with the NCAA.

I have briefed the Board of Regents in its oversight capacity and will continue to provide the Board with regular updates. Should any new information come to light in the coming days and weeks, we will not hesitate to act or to take additional measures to fully address any issues.

The criminal investigation by the Department of Justice has no timeline and the independent investigation by Steptoe & Johnson will proceed expeditiously but may also be prolonged. In addition, any allegations of violations of NCAA bylaws must be thoroughly addressed by the University and by the NCAA. So, I ask for your patience as the necessary work continues, so that we all can have answers to our questions.

Since his arrival in April, our Director of Athletics, Dave Heeke, has been a wonderful addition to the University and a great partner to me since I came to Tucson, no more so than this past week. His insight, experience and integrity are on display each and every day, and Dave’s input on critical decisions has been invaluable.

Head coach Sean Miller has not been charged with—nor accused of—any misconduct and he has been fully cooperative and supportive of our efforts to determine the facts in pursuit of the truth. In a message that he shared with the community earlier today, Sean expressed his own devastation at the revelations last week and acknowledged his responsibility as the head coach to promote and reinforce a culture of compliance. Based on the facts that we know at this time, we support Coach Miller and intend to provide him with all of the tools necessary to meet our goals and expectations.

The tremendous young men in our basketball program deserve our continued support as they work towards the start of the season, and I have complete faith that our passionate fans will continue to show them our love.

As your President, it is my responsibility to do what is right, to do what is needed, and to do all that I can to ensure that every member of our community is proud to be a Wildcat. We will be a stronger University because of the actions that we have undertaken and I will continue to keep you abreast of any developments.


Sincerely,

Dr. Robert C. Robbins
President
University of Arizona

Main Event wrote:

Alieberman wrote:A united front and a clear message is always good

CatFanOneMil wrote:Holy crap these guys don't mess around, that attorney list reads like a who's who of "We've handled the Feds before" and even better heavy hitters with street cred with the NCAA...the fact that the university is 100% behind Miller just blows that bogus tweet on friday that Miller wasn't answering and questions right out of the water...the sports reporters can suck our collective dicks.Fuck 'em, zero respect for sports media fake news now.

Russ Smith wrote:

Main Event wrote:

So he didn't know for nearly a year when the FBI tipped him off?

Harvey Specter wrote:

CatFanOneMil wrote:Holy crap these guys don't mess around, that attorney list reads like a who's who of "We've handled the Feds before" and even better heavy hitters with street cred with the NCAA...the fact that the university is 100% behind Miller just blows that bogus tweet on friday that Miller wasn't answering and questions right out of the water...the sports reporters can suck our collective dicks.Fuck 'em, zero respect for sports media fake news now.

It was an appropriate statement from the prez... but let's not get cattied away.

"Based on the facts that we know at this time, we support Coach Miller..."

That's not an indictment, but it is not unequivocal and unconditional support, either.

And based on the facts that have been released, it does not appear necessary to assemble a dream team of attorneys. But they did... and they are contracted to represent the University's interests - which right now appear to be aligned with Sean Miller's.

Nothing unusual and all of this… But the school didn't exactly place itself on the tracks in front of the coach. Just for some balance ...

Russ Smith wrote:

Main Event wrote:

So he didn't know for nearly a year when the FBI tipped him off?

Main Event wrote:

Russ Smith wrote:

Main Event wrote:

So he didn't know for nearly a year when the FBI tipped him off?

Who left the door open?

Main Event wrote: Who left the door open?

Harvey Specter wrote:

CatFanOneMil wrote:Holy crap these guys don't mess around, that attorney list reads like a who's who of "We've handled the Feds before" and even better heavy hitters with street cred with the NCAA...the fact that the university is 100% behind Miller just blows that bogus tweet on friday that Miller wasn't answering and questions right out of the water...the sports reporters can suck our collective dicks.Fuck 'em, zero respect for sports media fake news now.

It was an appropriate statement from the prez... but let's not get cattied away.

"Based on the facts that we know at this time, we support Coach Miller..."

That's not an indictment, but it is not unequivocal and unconditional support, either.

And based on the facts that have been released, it does not appear necessary to assemble a dream team of attorneys. But they did... and they are contracted to represent the University's interests - which right now appear to be aligned with Sean Miller's.

Nothing unusual and all of this… But the school didn't exactly place itself on the tracks in front of the coach. Just for some balance ...

Harvey Specter wrote:

CatFanOneMil wrote:Holy crap these guys don't mess around, that attorney list reads like a who's who of "We've handled the Feds before" and even better heavy hitters with street cred with the NCAA...the fact that the university is 100% behind Miller just blows that bogus tweet on friday that Miller wasn't answering and questions right out of the water...the sports reporters can suck our collective dicks.Fuck 'em, zero respect for sports media fake news now.

It was an appropriate statement from the prez... but let's not get cattied away.

"Based on the facts that we know at this time, we support Coach Miller..."

That's not an indictment, but it is not unequivocal and unconditional support, either.

And based on the facts that have been released, it does not appear necessary to assemble a dream team of attorneys. But they did... and they are contracted to represent the University's interests - which right now appear to be aligned with Sean Miller's.

Nothing unusual and all of this… But the school didn't exactly place itself on the tracks in front of the coach. Just for some balance ...

Russ Smith wrote:

Main Event wrote:

So he didn't know for nearly a year when the FBI tipped him off?

NYCat wrote:Program & Miller likely aren't in trouble w the FBI & DOJ, which we knew. The NCAA is a different matter, which is what matters

Russ Smith wrote:

Main Event wrote:

So he didn't know for nearly a year when the FBI tipped him off?

Beachcat97 wrote:

NYCat wrote:Program & Miller likely aren't in trouble w the FBI & DOJ, which we knew. The NCAA is a different matter, which is what matters

True. But the NCAA stuff could take a while. There's no way in hell they're going to hand down some major penalty in the remaining weeks before the start of the season. That would be unprecedented.