UGAg Hoops Program Gets Hit

Ok, the NCAA has brought down the hammer on the Dawgs after the Harrick scandal, and it looks like the punishment is more stern than generally expected. Here are the details:

- probation for 4 years
- one year post-season ban, already served in 2002/03
- one less scholarships in 05/06, 06/07 and 07/08.
- that means 12 available 'ships for those 3 years.
- team wins and individual records from 02/03 are wiped out. I guess this means there were 0-62.
- public win/loss records of the coach and team will be adjusted in all media printed, internet, media guides, etc.
- Harrick Jr. basically black-balled for 7 years.
- letters of reprimand to admin people who supported the bogus classes.

Here's the AP version with more names involved. First, expect UGAg to appeal - link here.

Now, what does this mean for recruiting? Well, by reducing their 'ships, I think it means that they are done recruiting for the year - maybe. They have no available 'ships since they have verbals from Louis Williams, Mike Mercer and Rashad Singleton. However, both Williams and Mercer have left the door cracked at the possibility they might NOT sign with the Dawgs. Prevailing thought is that they were waiting for this announcement to see how it might impact their time at UGAg. Basically those guys will be able to play in the post-season, but will be "on probation" for their entire career at UGAg. Certainly not a cloud I would want to play under. Besides that there is a big chance that Williams could declare for the draft.

With that aside, there were in the running for some recruits that we are interested in, #1 being Lewis Clinch. Clinch seems to be down to GT/WF/UGA/Kansas as his top list, and most believe it is between GT and WF. This would probably push UGAg out for sure, particularly considering they already have Williams and Mercer coming in.

Now there are some other guys we are both recruiting, including Octavious Spann, Keaton Grant, Korvotney Barber and Lee Bynum. So from a recruiting standpoint it only helps GT. Not that we need it, but since the dawgs wiped their own butts on this one, we'll take it.

By the way, since these violations were within the 5-year span of their football violations, they fall under the repeat offender policies. Don't talk to me about high standards at UGAg.

If all that isn't enough, it looks like one of UGAg's recruits from the 2004/2005 season, Robert Dozier, had some problems with one of his qualifying test scores and some possible issues with grades. He is a 6'8" Forward with a lot of potential. If he doesn't make the team, then it could open up another 'ship for some of those guys for the 2005/06 class. But it also means less depth this season.

Poor Dennis Felton. My question is - will he stick it out at UGAg through all this mess? He knew about it coming in, so this cannot be too much of a surprise. But will he stick it out? We'll see. He's a "hot commodity" in the coaching ranks in his own right.