NCAA's Caution May Affect Recruits, Like Greg Oden
By Jeff Rabjohns
The committee that will determine penalties against the Ohio State men's basketball program and, in practical terms, the fate of the Buckeyes' heralded Greg Oden-led recruiting class, meets Friday and Saturday in Chicago .
While predicting an outcome is not possible, research of previous NCAA decisions shows it is highly unlikely the Buckeyes will suffer a postseason ban that would free the recruits to play at other schools. The four high school seniors who signed with the Buckeyes in the fall, including Greg Oden and Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley, were sent letters by Ohio State that the school would release them if a postseason ban affects the time when they would be in college.
The complex Ohio State situation became even murkier in recent months after depositions were taken in former coach Jim O'Brien's $9.5 million lawsuit against the school.
The deposition of former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger brings into play the possibility of a finding of lack of institutional control, viewed by the NCAA as one of the most serious violations.
In his deposition, according to records obtained by the Columbus ( Ohio ) Dispatch, Geiger was asked if the athletic department "made a decision that there was a lack of institutional control."
Answer: "I think we have realized that."
Asked if he thought the NCAA would find a lack of institutional control, Geiger answered: "Yes."
Even though Ohio State was not initially facing that specific charge, the committee on infractions can issue that finding.
But even under that possibility, research of previous NCAA penalties meted out for that violation shows additional postseason bans are rare. Ohio State issued a self-imposed ban for the 2005 postseason, and the NCAA takes into account such actions.
According to data on the NCAA's Web site, a Division I men's basketball program has been found guilty of lack of institutional control 40 times since 1953. Only five times did the penalty include more than one year of a postseason ban -- all two-year bans -- and four of those involved serious academic fraud or fraudulent entrance exam scores.
Ohio State 's violations primarily revolve around payments by O'Brien for a recruit. Of the seven allegations against the men's basketball program, the only one the Buckeyes are contesting is failure to monitor.
The one previous NCAA decision that could scare Ohio State is one against Maryland in 1990. Maryland discovered improper recruiting, reported the violations, cooperated with the NCAA and forced coach Bob Wade to resign. Yet it still was hit with a two-year postseason ban.
However, in 1992 the NCAA adjusted its enforcement policy to state that "the interests of innocent individuals should be taken into account when imposing penalties."
O'Brien was fired, and the Buckeyes have a new coach (Thad Matta, in his second year), a new athletic director (Gene Smith), and the recruit involved never played for Ohio State .
A postseason ban affecting the current high school seniors could make four of the nation's most highly touted players available to anyone and create a recruiting frenzy.
Even if one year of a postseason ban is added, Ohio State could take that this year, if timing isn't an issue.
The NCAA usually waits three to five weeks after an infractions committee hearing to announce penalties. That means an announcement could come as late as March 11. NCAA Tournament teams are announced March 12.
The initial hearing scheduled for Dec. 9-10 was postponed due to procedural complexities arising from the O'Brien lawsuit.
No matter what penalties are issued, Ohio State has the option of an appeal to a different committee.
Call Star reporter Jeff Rabjohns at (317) 444-6183.
