Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future

Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner confirmed to CBSSports.com on Thursday that he was never told the school had been charged with major NCAA rules violations when he accepted the job last month.

"I was unaware," Pastner said by phone from his office. "That's the truth."

Memphis received a letter alleging violations in January.

Pastner was hired nearly three months later.

So no, it does not appear athletic director R.C. Johnson was forthcoming with some crucial information when he offered Pastner the opportunity to replace John Calipari. But the good news for the first-year coach is that it seems highly unlikely that he'll be affected in any tangible way by the possible violations that happened while he was still an assistant at Arizona.

In other words, this is about the Tigers' past, not the Tigers' future.

So while it's possible Memphis might have its 2008 Final Four appearance banished from the NCAA record books, there is no indication whatsoever that a postseason ban, TV ban or any scholarship losses are on the way. That's a key point Pastner must stress going forward, if only because opposing schools will undoubtedly use the threat of harsh penalties in an attempt to scare prospects away from Memphis.

"I've been told by our athletic director and other people in the administration that none of this will affect the current team or any future team," Pastner said. "This is all about [the 2007-08 season]."

Doc Gonzo Since: Apr 30, 2009	Posted on: June 1, 2009 12:35 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Why wouldn't it? Tom Crean is still being affected by Kelvin Sampson's violations although Sampson and staff are out. [ Reply to Comment ]
Sidd_Finch Since: Jan 27, 2009	Posted on: May 31, 2009 1:46 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Quite honestly until the NCAA rules or acts on the mighty USC (Reggie Bush, agent handling the family rental of million dollar house) and OJ Mayo (receiving payments) it should not issue any further punishments to anyone. While I understand, and appreciate to a point, your sentiment, that's not the way it works, but you probably already know that. There's little doubt in my mind the NCAA has certain schools where the amount of evidence necessary before they bring do anything is higher than the rest of the schools (your 2 USC examples being spot on), but regarding KU and Arthur, the grade changing (I think it's past the alleged stage) took place at his HS, not at KU. If you're going to use the how can you blame Memphis for something Rose did, on his own, while in HS, I don't see how you can use the Kansas / Darrell Arthur situation as an example of the NCAA playing favorites. Insulating Kansas even more is that Arthur can deny any knowledge about the activity, while Rose, if proven to be true, cannot. No, I'm not a Jayhawks grad, nor a big-time fan. [ Reply to Comment ]
Rip1Tigers Since: Sep 11, 2007	Posted on: May 29, 2009 4:26 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Quite honestly until the NCAA rules or acts on the mighty USC (Reggie Bush, agent handling the family rental of million dollar house) and OJ Mayo (receiving payments) it should not issue any further punishments to anyone. The NCAA Basketball Committee is a joke, they way they let certain kids transfer without sitting the mandatory year, add eligability for players who were suspeneded for half a season, let coaches move unpunished when allegations come out or penalties (except K Sampson) is unbeliveable. NCAA needs to get its house in order and quit playing favorites before causing any more anguish. Remember Kansas (National Champions) and the allegations over changed grades for Darrell Arthur (who immedately bolted for the NBA)? It all just went away. I imagine that the Memphis problem will all just go away too.....or maybe not since they are not BCS??? hmmm, makes you wonder??? [ Reply to Comment ]
Tiger Beast Since: Mar 30, 2009	Posted on: May 29, 2009 3:40 pm C'mon Really? Pastner Was Unaware....of What? When you put the facts together, it makes a lot of sense why its in the best interest of Memphis Basketball for Josh to say he was unaware, but the odds of it being completely accurate are astronomically small. Because for Josh not to have known, a lot of the things must be true. If only one of them is false, then while Josh is doing the right thing to build a winning team, he is not exactly Mr. Clean. Don't get me wrong. I don't want a squeaky clean coach. Squeaky clean coaches don't win. As far as I am concerned, the fact that he is likely not being 100% forthcoming on this is a good sign. Here's what would have to be true for Josh to unaware: 1) John Calipari did not tell one of his primary recruiters that this was coming. There were three months of time here where a key assistant coach was not in the loop on an issue that he would have to explain to recruits when it did come out. 2) R.C. Johnson did not give an honest representation of the situation to Josh when they talked about where the program stood, where they wanted to take it, and what the hurdles were that they would have to overcome. 3) John Calipari did not tell Josh about this situation when he was telling all of the coaches about the pros and cons of going to Kentucky. 4) John Calipari did not tell Josh about this situation when Josh called him asking for his blessing and whether John thought it would be a good choice. 5) While Josh was calling coaches all around the country to get advice on being a head coach, not one of those well connected people asked if there was any truth to the rumors that there was an investigation going on. Or if they did, Josh decided to brush off these rumors as just that, rumors and go on about his business. For all this to be true, it would say the following about Josh Pastner (none of which I believe is the case by the way): a) Josh has no intuitive capabilities to sense when something isn't exactly right. b) Josh has intuitive skills, but chose to ignore all of the warning signs on this. c) Josh has very few if any contacts in the college basketball network who will warn him of impending trouble d) Josh doesn't ask questions he doesn't want to hear the answer to. So let's save the poor, naive Josh Pastner stuff and get on with our lives and assume that he is a smart, intuitive and well connected coach. Because if he isn't, then Memphis is going to have a rough couple of years. I for one have faith that Josh is being smart by playing dumb on this one. [ Reply to Comment ]
bradhurt2003 Since: Nov 3, 2007	Posted on: May 29, 2009 12:46 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future That's an interesting point. It makes sense now that it would be possible. Then again, you can't blame them for wanting to avoid an uncertain situation at Memphis once Calipari left. [ Reply to Comment ]
jhindman4 Since: Feb 5, 2009	Posted on: May 29, 2009 12:03 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Here's a question: Think Cal was telling the recruits he took from Memphis not to go there as he heard there may be some sanctions coming soon? [ Reply to Comment ]
IlliniRocket Since: Oct 13, 2006	Posted on: May 29, 2009 11:56 am Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future So the AD wasn't forthcoming about the investigation when Pastner was hired, but now Pastner trusts him when he says that this won't affect the current team or any future teams? A bit naive I think, although I'm not sure what else Pastner can say publicly. It seems to me that giving Reggie Rose free travel is a complaince snafu by the Memphis athletic department. The NCAA absolutely could punish the current team or future teams for that, although I'm not sure they will. Anyway, I don't think Pastner can make any guarantees to recruits that there will be no harsh penalties and it would be easy for recruiting rivals to put enough doubt in these kids' minds until the NCAA makes the final call, regardless of any assurances Pastner tries to make. [ Reply to Comment ]
iamlapointe Since: Mar 24, 2007	Posted on: May 28, 2009 11:51 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Right on all points Randy. First and foremost, Memphis future should include the quick dismissal of R.C. Johnson. Johnson's compitence and effectiveness have been suspect for a long time. His failure to disclose on the matter at hand when interviewing Josh Pastner is beyond inexcuseable. [ Reply to Comment ]
aRandyTIGER Since: Apr 9, 2009	Posted on: May 28, 2009 11:07 pm Rose mess shouldn't affect Memphis' future Yeah, ignore the man behind the curtain. Not forthcoming, OK. You mean like a married man who slips off his wedding ring when he mets a vivacious young lady at bar. This guy should submit his resignation today. Pashner is young and is naive to believe anything R.C. has to say. What other crucial information has not been disclosed? I will support Pashner and Memphis sports,but without an apology and repentance from his dishonesty Shirley Raines should fire Johnson.Tiger fans are tired of being deceived. We do not condon winning at any cost. We do not want to walk anywhere near the edge of sleaziness! This will affect the Tigers future. The question is will we allow our reputation to be trashed or wake up and smell the "Roses". [ Reply to Comment ]

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