Corruptness of College Basketball

College basketball has always been my favorite sport to watch and follow. Period. College basketball never used to be subject to the extreme and widespread rules violations, unethical decisions, and corruptness that is crippling other major sports. College basketball was never the subject of steroid rumors like the MLB, gambling referees like the NBA, or thuggish athletes like the NFL. However, college basketball is following into this same pattern and it has to stop. NCAA teams at unbelievable rates are involved in illegal recruiting practices and corrupt decisions. Just this past week, Louisville head coach hired Pike High School Assistant Coach Shabaka Lands in order to reel in No. 2 ranked HS star Marquis Teague. This same practice has happened in the past, most noteably with star players Michael Beasley and Dajuan Wagner. Other teams have been involved with recruiting of grade school kids, illegal contacting of recruits, contacting of committed recruits, changing of HS grades, and payment of money to future players. The list goes on and on. It would be naive to think that this is not happening everywhere. Anything is being used to get ahead. In the process, it just might cripple college basketball.

Louisville Loses big Melo to Syracuse

Highly ranked recruit Fabricio De Melo, aka "Fab Melo", has decided to play his collegiate basketball for Coach Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange. Depending on which school site you read Melo was leaning toward Louisville and Syracuse. Most of the Cardinal fans had considered Melo to be a lock for them and the class of 2010. This is a considerable loss for Pitino and his Cardinals, especially to lose him to a conference foe.

Louisville offers JaBarie Hinds

Rick Pitino and the University of Louisville have offered a scholarship to JaBrari Hinds. Hinds, a PG from Mount Vernon, NY, helped lead his team to the SNY Invitational Championship. Out of the class of 2011 Hinds is known for his speed and ability to get to the rim. He is not much of a sharp shooter but could be a formidable PG in Pitino's system. Hinds has not been a huge name on the recruiting trail but has the skills to become a nice player if he accepts his offer.