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It's the punishment most observers probably expected, and now, if the Memphis Commercial-Appeal's source is correct, it's the punishment Memphis will face: The NCAA is forcing the Tigers to vacate their 2007-08 season, which included 38 wins and an a runner-up finish in the Final Four. The C-A's source knew of no other ongoing punishments or sanctions against what is now Josh Pastner's Memphis program. Memphis is expected to announce the punishment at a press conference this morning.

If accurate, it's the second time a Memphis team has been forced to vacate a season, and the second time former Memphis coach John Calipari has led an eventually vacated team to the Final Four.

Memphis fans may be rightfully upset. After all, if vacated, their best team in the past officially never happened. That's a weird reality to have thrust upon you. But in terms of actual effects, this vacation literally does nothing: Calipari won't be punished for having Derrick Rose's fake test scores make his way into his program (not that he necessarily should be, and let's have that argument another time, shall we?); Josh Pastner won't be punished with a loss of scholarships or future tournaments or anything of the sort; and Derrick Rose is in the NBA making millions of dollars and being generally awesome at what he does. With the possible exception of Memphis fans' psyches, this hurts nobody.

Which is not to say Memphis fans won't be bitter. If the Commercial-Appeal's Geoff Calkins is any indication, the anti-Calipari sentiment will run high. But that's largely over now. There's really no use being angry at Calipari; Memphis fans knew what they were signing up for, just as Kentucky fans do now. Memphis should, for better or worse, moved on. Plus, there's a sunny side to a vacated season: If you didn't win a national title, does it really matter anyway?

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  1. T8
    1. Posted by T8 Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:07 am EDT

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    Great 2 years later the NCAA completes their investigation and hands down a verdict against Memphis BBall, yet Reggie Bush settles a civil suit for money he admits taking while playing for USC and the NCAA does nothing? You wonder why southerners are often ornery?
  2. WHOO
    2. Posted by WHOO Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:34 am EDT

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    Yet O.J. Mayo, ironically in Memphis now, gives up nothing and USC gets nothing done with the whole scandal with him and coach Floyd?? i think thats a bit one sided, wins are wins. . . . . OJ was paid to play college basketball.
  3. PLAYA
    3. Posted by PLAYA Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:02 am EDT

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    At the end of the day, Rose was ineligible but he was cleared by NCAA Clearing House, whats the point of this assurance from the NCAA , if a university can still be punished. The NCAA said it was ok to play him, so stick to your decision. USC will never be punished because the NCAA can not risk hurting their only west coast revenue stream and at the end of the day, income is the only important rule for the NCAA.
  4. Myrtle Beached Whale
    4. Posted by Myrtle Beached Whale Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    Good. Calipari is a piece of crap.
  5. Patrick
    5. Posted by Patrick Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:50 am EDT

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    T8 - EXCELLENT POINT!
    USC should be vacated as well ...
  6. Aaron
    6. Posted by Aaron Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:08 pm EDT

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    USC is protected by the NCAA, we all know they are a bunch of cheaters. Wait until Carroll leaves, it will all come out then. Until then, enjoy beating up on the nobodies in the Pac 10 and Notre Dame, who is even less of a nobody. Even though, they will still beat Ohio State in Columbus. My perdiction: USC 24, OSU 21.
  7. Chris
    7. Posted by Chris Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:18 pm EDT

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    My question is, what would have happened if Memphis had won the National Championship against Kansas????
    Would the NCAA be taking it away and awarding Kansas the National Championship by default??
    NCAA basketball one and out is so sleezy!!!
  8. Jeff
    8. Posted by Jeff Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:22 pm EDT

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    What about Kansas and Darrell Arthur's fraudulent transcripts?
  9. Joe
    9. Posted by Joe Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:56 pm EDT

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    Makes sense....coaches at two universities in that state are CHEATERS. At least Louisville's coach got some; albeit from an ugly woman
  10. ROOMIE103
    10. Posted by ROOMIE103 Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:14 pm EDT

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    KY Basketball . . one coach screws a woman while his assistant coach listens and probably peeks and another coach that screws a whole city. KY is a good place for these two where slippery is what they both are. It has to be tough to have to win at all costs and when university presidents want "CHARACTERS" more than "CHARACTER"
  11. The Bottom Liner
    11. Posted by The Bottom Liner Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:20 pm EDT

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    Here's what gets me, Calapari does all this crap and leaves Memphis in complete ruin. He goes to his "dream job" at Kentucky and there are no sanctions or harm that comes to him. In my mind, when coaches are proven to run scummy programs like he did and does, then the coach and the school should be sanctioned; not just the school. Calipari has been a scumbag for his entire career. He has once again proven it!
  12. Chris S
    12. Posted by Chris S Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:23 pm EDT

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    There would not have been a national champion if Kanas had not won (thank you Super Mario!!!). The whole issue with Darrell Arthur had to do with his classes in high school, not at Kansas. This issue is with the clearing house. Someone in the NCAA clearing house is either not doing their job correctly or is getting paid under the table by these athletic programs. Also the NCAA should be all over everything that Calapari does from here on out. I feel sorry for what could take place at Kentucky now and wherever Cal goes after this stint. I will not be surprised if Jon Wall and the other top recruits at Kentucky have some violations on their transcripts or their conduct while under Coach Cheat...er uh...Coach Cal.
  13. blondie b
    13. Posted by blondie b Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    #12 Chris S:
    Arthur cheats on his transcript, while in high school, which helps him become eligible for college.
    Rose cheats (allegedly) on his SAT, while in high school, which helps him become eligible for college.
    The difference is what?
    Oh, it's that you're a Kansas fan.
    Makes sense I guess.
  14. blondie b
    14. Posted by blondie b Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:38 pm EDT

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    #12 Chris S:
    The rest of your points are very good, and highlight the inconsistencies in the system. But then, it is a system designed to make money, first and foremost. Athletics are just a vehicle for TV and alumni dollars.
  15. blondie b
    15. Posted by blondie b Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:42 pm EDT

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    #12 Chris S:
    The rest of your points are very good, and highlight the inconsistencies in the system. But then, it is a system designed to make money, first and foremost. Athletics are just a vehicle for TV and alumni dollars.
  16. Chauncey
    16. Posted by Chauncey Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:08 pm EDT

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    People east of the Mississippi River stop spending your time, energy and brain activity on Los Angeles and our collegiate and professional teams. With regards to both Reggie Bush and O.J Mayo nothing has been substantiated by the NCAA or a court of law. This is why people in LA consider you jealous and full of haterism. Our attorneys are just better than yours. Deal with it. Then move on. If the NCAA had something on SC, they would have already levied a penalty. SC Football, UCLA Basketball, Lakers Basketball, Dodgers and Angels Baseball. All this dominance coming out of one city has all you Haters green with envy! Like Snoop says, West West y'all!
  17. The Magistrate
    17. Posted by The Magistrate Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    Regarding Kansas and Darrell Arthur's fraudulent transcripts I've read a few times that he was eligible and then his grade was changed after the fact, and that that teacher later got fired. So it's not the same. And regarding O.J. Mayo, something might still happen you never know. This took two years.
    This is the quietest the UK fans have been all year, it's kinda nice.
  18. bvarl
    18. Posted by bvarl Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:21 pm EDT

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    So when does the NCAA vacate Duke's FF and Championship game appearance for having an ineligible player (Corey Maggette, Myron Piggy's boy) on the team?
  19. iceman4444
    19. Posted by iceman4444 Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    It's pathetic; the NCAA is a joke; Calipari, Pitino and so many big time coaches allow cheating like it's going to starbucks. NOTHING is ever done. Rich white men making millions off of young minorities. It's the American way.
  20. Chris
    20. Posted by Chris Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    Hey John, let's see you try this crap at Kentucky. You're not at UMass or Memphis anymore. This school has fans so passionate about basketball and will not hesitate to string you up should you screw up and cost UK wins or a championship by violating rules. Kentucky never wants to repeat what happened after they were punished for violations under Eddie Sutton.
    You better just coach and keep it squeaky clean, Cali.
  21. Travis Blythe
    21. Posted by Travis Blythe Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    It truly does come down to one thing MONEY, the NCAA is making millions from these star athletes and when any player benefits(not condoning or saying its right) but they treat them as if they committed a federal crime. vacate a season or two who cares, as stated in the article....Derrick Rose is still a millionaire, he will still get endorsements, and kids will still buy his jersey...... NCAA = Legalized Man Pimping...lol
  22. KD
    22. Posted by KD Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    Hmmh...in regards to Arthur & Derrick, I heard that Derrick would have been eligible anyway w/o the SAT score- it was done actually for the University of Illinois (higher rated school). Besides, we all know about the NCAA bias towards schools they protect. What ever happened to Corey Magette & Duke? UNC having NBA players play pickup games with recruits outside the recruiting period? TOTALLY BIASED!!!
  23. nineincher
    23. Posted by nineincher Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    Something needs to be done to these Coach's that get Schools in Trouble then leaves. Facing no penalty and leaves the school and it's players to face the heat. I think Caliperi should be suspended for 2 years and Kentucky should foot the bill for hiring the Cheater. Caliperi is the only coach in history that has 2 seasons forfeited. 1 with UMass and now Memphis.
  24. t m
    24. Posted by t m Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    b.s. university of maryland got ONE year . . NO T.V. . . . TWO years NO NCAA's back in the 1990's for giving Rudy Archer a ride to class. All of the sanctions since have been weak out of proportion. OJ Mayo thing was ridiculous. Same with Reggie Bush.
    this speaks to coach calapari's ability to assess character. he gets an F. makes one appreciate the gary williamses a bit more. he took a lot of heat recently for an perceived inability to recruit. he brings in guys that don't have us vacating seasons and who (for the most part) are good kids. none have caused us any grief like this.
  25. PatH
    25. Posted by PatH Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Kentucky never wants to repeat what happened after they were punished for violations under Eddie Sutton.
    Yes so that's probably why they hired Calipari.

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