Could Kruger’s image help Sooners?
The NCAA has the authority to lower the boom on OU’s men’s basketball program but there are four factors working in the Sooners favor:
1) Oronde Taliaferro, the assistant coach who committed two major infractions, resigned days after the allegations were made public in April 2010.
2) The violations were Taliaferro lying in his first interview with the NCAA and Taliaferro not reporting he knew of former center Tiny Gallon or his mother receiving an improper $3,000 loan. No one at OU, including Taliaferro, was involved in the actual improper benefit transaction.
3) A 438-page report that addressed the 16-month investigation revealed former head coach Jeff Capel was found of no wrong doing.
4) The most important factor could be new OU coach Lon Kruger has a squeaky clean image. Kruger never has had an issue with the NCAA in 25 seasons as a head coach.
Because it was the second time in less than five years the men’s basketball program was found guilty of major violations, repeat violators can face a minimum of having a sport dropped for one or two years with no scholarships for two seasons.
That is the worst-case scenario which obviously won’t happen. That type of punishment is designed for programs that intentionally cheat repeatedly without being held in check by their compliance department.
The best-case scenario is the NCAA accepts OU’s self posed penalties — vacating all wins from the 2009-10 season; adding two more years probation; take away one scholarship and two official visits during the upcoming academic year.
OU’s self imposed punishment would be a slap on the wrist, considering former coach Kelvin Sampson made more than 500 impermissible phone calls, a case that ended in 2006.
But a slap on the wrist might be sufficient considering the biggest sin was this case was a much smaller version of Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel hiding facts from his compliance department. The guilty party was an assitant who resigned.
Who knows how much weight the NCAA will put on Kruger being OU’s new coach. But it certainly won’t hurt. And it could help.
That’s why a slap on the wrist might be the only punishment OU receives.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit: OU is ‘best team in the country’ on paper
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit talked to The Oklahoman‘s Mel Bracht on Thursday about the Sooners’ 2011 season:
I think on paper they are the best team in the country. I don’t want to put a bull’s-eye on their chest, but I think this might be one of Bob’s most talented teams in the 13 years he has been there. I think Landry (Jones) has demonstrated what he can do at quarterback. The running backs, you talk about a stable, that is an outstanding group. I loved Ryan Broyles coming back to go with Kenny Stills. Even James Hanna showed playmaking ability at tight end. They have a big strong offensive line. It’s scary to think what this offense can do. You love (former offensive coordinator) Kevin Wilson, but at the same time, I think there is enough cohesion on that offensive staff that I don’t think will slow them down. They averaged like 37 last year. I can’t imagine what they’re going to do to defenses this year with that up-tempo offense, which is tough enough to deal with. Then you throw in the experience and playmaking ability that I have. That side of the football I think will be dynamic.
Defensively, it’s been proven over the years that they always seem to put a defense out there that has a chance to win a championship. I think the challenge for them this year is to avoid those games where they had some lapses, which had to do with youth, giving up some big plays. I cannot wait for Sept. 17 for when they go to Tallahassee. I think that will be a huge game.
What do you think?
Blake Griffin basketball camp
Former OU star Blake Griffin, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and Slam Dunk champion, will be holding his first annual kids basketball camp Aug. 2-5 at the Sante Fe Family Life Center.
For four days, one of the league’s biggest stars, will personally instruct campers in areas such as performance and on-court skills training and nutrition.
Sponsoring the camp is O.N.E. Coconut Water which produces the sports drink O.N.E. Active.
Oklahoma admits 2 major violations in men’s hoops; Oronde Taliaferro implicated
The NCAA found no lack of institutional control in a 15-month investigation of the Oklahoma men’s basketball program, according to a report that was released on Thursday.
OU officials have asked the NCAA to place the men’s basketball program on two more years probation and vacate all wins from the 2009-10 season for the two major rules violations.
The Sooners also proposed taking away one scholarship, two official visits and 10 in-person recruiting days during the upcoming academic year since the program was already on probation involving hundreds of impermissible recruiting phone calls by former OU coach Kelvin Sampson.
Video: OU receiver Ryan Broyles at Big 12 Media Days
Gunner Kiel turns down Sooners, commits to Indiana
After months of speculation, Gunner Kiel, the nation’s top high school quarterback, has committed to Indiana, according to multiple reports.
He chose the new head coach Kevin Wilson and the Hoosiers, who went 5-7 last season, over Oklahoma, Missouri and Alabama, among others.
OU fans: Are you happy with current QB commit Trevor Knight?
Poll: Which OU running back will get the most carries in 2011?
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops talked at length Tuesday at the Big 12 Media Days in Dallas about replacing standout running back DeMarco Murray. Murray, who rushed for 3,685 yards and scored 65 touchdowns in his OU career, was a workhouse, carrying the ball 282 times in 2010. Stoops said the Sooners will go with running back by committee in 2011:
DeMarco, being a fifth-year senior, big, strong guy, could do so much, you don’t replace him — or we have to really replace him by committee… And last year we snapped the ball more than anybody in the country. So there’s a lot of snaps there. And I don’t see any of these guys have the physical presence at this point and maturity to play 45, 50 snaps like DeMarco could.
Finch gained 398 yards on 85 carries in 2010, despite missing half the year with foot and ankle injuries. Clay gained 127 yards on 36 carries.
So which OU running back will get the bulk of the carries in 2011? Also, rank the current running backs as you see the depth chart right now. Leave your comments below.
Big 12 Media Days Chat Recap: Mike Baldwin
Video: Big 12 Media Days recap with OU coach Bob Stoops, players
Video: OU head coach Bob Stoops at Big 12 Media Days
