Kentucky, Noel and Calapari perfectly ok

[ufgator4ever]

For those expecting Calapari to face NCAA sanctions while at UK, too bad.
Wise like Saban. He knows where the NCAA won't go.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/20581696/calipari-uks-prized-recruit-has-been-cleared-to-play

[REM08]

Interestingly, the NCAA's focus was on a visit Noel took to Louisville.

This isn't Cal's only chance at sanctions though. If you watched the "all-access" show tonight, you'd notice the recruiting ball is rolling and there's little reason he'd have to bend rules at this point (whether you believe he ever has or not). That being said, other than Coach K, no coach is entirely immune to games being vacated for something the NCAA determines they shouldn't have known about. Lance Thomas is a perfect example of this.

[tupacbiff]

Or unc which clearly cheated.

[Ahab]

What made the NCAA's visit to Tilton intriguing is that a senior Kentucky official, UK chief compliance officer Sandy Bell, accompanied Merrill and Smith for the meeting. Bell didn't ask many questions, according to the source, but did take notes and spoke up occasionally. The presence of two NCAA enforcement officials and Bell gives the appearance that this case has gone beyond the routine checking of top prospects, according to one former NCAA investigator.


Is this commonplace? That's the first I've heard of a college staffer being allowed to accompany NCAA investigators. I'm surprised that would be allowed.

[REM08]

Is this commonplace? That's the first I've heard of a college staffer being allowed to accompany NCAA investigators. I'm surprised that would be allowed.

Its not common for the average NCAA clearing check. However, it is usually allowed if the schools compliance staff requests to be allowed to attend. Bell did not play an active role, but was permitted to pretty much be a fly on the Wall. Supposedly Kentucky's compliance staff was a little more curious about what went on with these hearings after Kanter was ruled ineligible and wanted to be sure that the NCAA was willing to be transparent. This is what people "who would know" are saying. Bell's presence gave some in the media the wrong impression - that it meant Noel's clearance investigation all of the sudden became more serious.

Keep in mind that "due diligence" eligibility checks are not the same as when a school is being investigated for potentially breaking the rules. The two situations, I'd imagine, allow for very different amounts of compliance staff involvement.