Postby olsingledigit » Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:03 pm
Here is a summary of the Sean Miller situation from a good friend and former partner of mine who is a Zona grad and huge fan - The whole rebuttal with Miller hinges on his statement that he will be vindicated. In many minds of the fans on paid bulletin boards, the question is whether Miller is saying that he will be vindicated because the conversation where he allegedly discussed $100,000 did not happen on the phone or if there never was a conversation or if there was a conversation but the offer of $100,000 was never acted upon.
What is clear to me is that the ESPN article by Schlarbach was single sourced and not checked. It likely was not with an FBI representative and it almost feels like in the Watergate film, All the President's Men, where the source was talking in an obtuse fashion and miscommunicated what occurred by hanging up when he should not have. Be that as it may, ESPN then doubled down and allowed its hosts to talk smack about Miller and act like it was a proven fact that he was dirty. It went so far as Jay Bilas calling Miller not only a crook, but a stupid crook. Now ESPN pulled the article (after changing a year reference that made the story even less believable.)
My general view is that College Basketball is inherently dirty and recruiting players is an ugly game with money changing hands a lot. I don't think Miller is that stupid. I think that his assistant coaches Pasternack and Richardson were intermediaries and will get nailed. I think they will remain loyal to Miller, but that is up in the air. What I really think happened is that this 24 year old runner, Dawkins was talking big to Richardson about moving $100,000 to pay Quinnerly in exchange for Arizona's coaches convincing Ayton to go to Dawkin's boss's agency, ASM. I think Miller spoke to Dawkins and said, don't you talk to my assistant coaches about money, I am the head coach. I think he was trying to get Dawkins focused on Miller to let Miller be the focal point and the one who ultimately put the kibosh on any deal with Dawkins. Remember, Dawkins is a 24 year old pissant. I think all the stuff in emails to Dawkins' boss was fluff, trying to impress him.
Regardless, I still think that Miller (as well as Calipari, Coach K, Pittino, Izzo and so many big name and even medium name coaches) have "gentlemen's agreements' to "work together for mutual benefit.' Kind of like a tax CPA who refers work to a financial planner to get work back. Frequently money does not change hands (but I know sometimes is does). Certainly perks are given.
So in the end, I think that Miller might have to go and perhaps with him the whole current system. I think the NCAA amateurism approach is not working and I think that some day (not sure when), while we will continue to provide scholarships and cost of attendance to all players (in most if not all sports), schools will be able to woo those players that they want with actual money. Not all players should be paid, but the free market will take hold. This might change if the NBA backs off of its one and done rule. If they do, I think it will still happen, but will be a slower need for implementation.
Dressed to the Nines - Last of the LHS Single Digits - Dedicated to John "The Beer Spiller" McCormick, my son-in-law who passed June, 2016 at age 44. Long time Xavier fanatic and friend of many Lew Hirt Members. RIP Mac Strong! We miss you.
