It's Only Cheating if You Get Caught

Busted. Kansas' Bill Self, hairpiece and all, was caught talking last week with a recruit during an NCAA evaluation period

Allen Vaughan, a sportswriter at the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, was covering a tournament where John Wall, a 6-foot-4 guard from Raleigh (N.C.), led his team to the championship with a 41-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist effort.

Vaughan wrote: "I have never seen a high school guard dominate the ball and consistently get to the basket. He used his size, speed, ballhandling and vision to get to the free throw line, making 17 of 18, setting a new single-game record for makes."

Later Vaughan would witness Self, who was within the rules by watching the game, step over the line:

"That's what was so curious when Kansas coach Bill Self came rolling through. I was puzzled because it's an evaluation period in the NCAA's eyes, meaning coaches and recruits can have no contact, except for an exchange of greetings.

"Of course, Wall is the top uncommitted recruit. Self had to know I was a reporter and even said hello to me.

"I just thought he'd stand there, maybe even wave to Wall to let him know he was there. Instead, when the Holy Rams poured out of the locker room, Self was excited:

"Self: 'Johnny, great win man. You really played well.'

"Wall: 'Thanks.'

"Self: 'I'm not supposed to be talking to you, and you know that, but I just wanted to tell you that was a great win.'

"Then Self vanished."

Self has acknowledged the incident. "If that exchange, which is all it was, is a problem, then our administration will deal with it. I certainly by no means am going to deny that that happened, but the reason I was back in the back was to go say hi to the coaches after a game."

Comments

[adam]

Whatever, dude. Busted? All he did was say "great win." So what? And where did this talk about Bill Self's hair start? I've been hearing this for years, but it looks real to me.