New York Times Article: Pete Thamel uncovers UCF, Brandon Bender and an ex-con

Everyone knows that UCF is this (-) close to being a BCS team and jumping Nova. It was brought up the huge difference in revenue. So while they are at it, even if they pay a few players, nothing will surface for years, right? They won’t be able to just kick them out of the conference.

Point is, UCF is going to do everything they can to get the best players possible, because they are so close.

can’t hurt

throw 5 of them.

Recruiting Is Corrupted

The NCAA needs to wake up and look at Lexington College.

Long version:
Played ball at Ballard HS in late 90s, had a cousin (Jonathan Bender) who skipped college to go to the NBA, thought he was better than said cousin, claimed he would forgo his senior year (2000-2001) at Ballard to declare for the NBA draft, that didn’t work out, committed to Louisville but was essentially kicked off the team his freshman year for violating team rules.

In the 10 years since that time, he played semi-pro ball overseas for a few years and more recently has coached an AAU team. Has high aspirations to be a legit college staffer and is always bragging to whomever will listen about texting D1 coaches and recruits. Used his personal facebook account at one time to “guarantee” that certain Louisville commits would never actually sign with U of L and constantly touted all the coaches & players he talks to.

It’s widely speculated that Bender advised several high school basketball recruits not to sign with Louisville b/c of his grudge with Pitino and personal issues with the University. When Bender was spotted at DaMarcus Smith’s “business decision” press conference, many assumed something shady happened with Bender & UCF.

He ain’t right

But that was means Bender was sitting across from her.

The article specifically says that D Smith was bullied into signing with UCF by Bender and, more importantly, his mother. He wanted to sign with UL all along.

He may have to sit out a year for making a bad, albeit coerced decision but he’s still very welcome at Louisville.

Did you even read either article before posting??

But—and I’m not one of those “The NCAA is the worst thing ever” people—in this case, it’s the NCAA, so who knows.

Either way, if anything is done to UCF, the students will likely be allowed to transfer without penalty. That’s generally what happens in these situations (i.e. SMU, USC).

Short List of things I’ve seen from the Orlando Sentinel and UCF boards/blogs:

• Everyone does it, so why can’t we?
• Forde wrote a book with Pitino, so he committed NCAA violations by talking to recruits. He’s a booster.
• Whoever Purvis commits to better watch out. Pitino will have Thamel/Forde go after them next.
• It’s proof that the “big boys” don’t want competition.

Really, UCF? That’s how you want to handle this? Relational self-justification, blame shifting and conspiracy theories? Sound like UK fans in all this mess. Accept the fact that your program is already on probation and accept that stories like this do not bode well that things are not on the “up-and-up” surrounding the program. You should be hoping for a through investigation to determine wrong-doing, report any wrong-doing, take preemptive corrective action and hope for the best from the NCAA.