The March to Madness

Does Memphis Regret Its Marriage to Calipari?

Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal asks the tough question as the school prepares to meet Saturday with the NCAA over allegations that Derek Rose had somebody else take his SAT.

While there are other issues on Saturday's agenda — former women's golf coach Jenny Bruun was providing extra benefits worth more than $3,000 to several members of her team from 2004-08, something Memphis has already acknowledged — the university is prepared to put up a fight in the Rose case.

Nonetheless, Calkins writes that "Memphis knew what it was getting when it hired John Calipari as head coach. For nine years, the guy had the run of the place. Is it surprising that he recruited a player who might have faked an SAT? Really? If you're being completely honest with yourself?"

"On the same day the university released its response to the Rose allegations, CBS Sports.com reported that Georgia did not accept Robert Dozier because of a 'fishy' SAT. Georgia officials apparently got a tip that Dozier's score might not be valid. When Dozier took the test again, he got a suspiciously lower score.

NCAA Alleges Major Violations at Memphis

The news out of Memphis is not good. The NCAA says Memphis has been up to no good.

Surprised?

The NCAA alleges that a prospective player became eligible after an "unknown individual" completed his SAT. The player, according to the NCAA, "subsequently competed for the men's basketball team through the 2007-08 season, which included his participation in the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship."

The player's name was redacted in the report that was obtained by the Commercial Appeal, but it would appear to be former Tiger point guard Derrick Rose.

Grading the Coaching Hires

Arizona gets an A- for hiring Sean Miller, Memphis a D for promoting Josh Pastner and Kentucky a B for snaring John Calipari, according to a report card handed out by Jon Wilner of College Sports Hotline.

While Miller isn't the sexy hire that was promised by Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood, it was a solid choice. Wilner writes: "One of the top young coaches in the game, Miller has his work cut out: Not only must he orchestrate a massive talent upgrade, he must match wits with a superb lineup of Pac-10 coaches. There's also the matter of his future: Is he committed to Tucson for five years or more, or will he bolt to the Big East/ACC the first chance he gets?"

Calipari-to-Kentucky a Done Deal? (He's a Goner)

Pete Thamel of the New York Times sums it up: "Kentucky basketball is the unintentional comedy king of college sports. It’s a haven for neurotic fans, questionable administrators and TV personalities with 40-yard sprint times that would make Pete Carroll drool."

Two reports have Calipari leaving Memphis to take over Big Blue. Another has Tiger boosters working late into night to keep their coach. Perhaps Ashley Judd knows for sure. (Thanks to reader Tim for the image.)

Has Kentucky Found Its Man in Calipari?

Memphis' John Calipari could be meeting with Kentucky officials as early as Monday about becoming the next Wildcat coach, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

After the Tigers were bounced from the NCAA tournament on Thursday, Calipari told reporters that Memphis was "where I want to coach."

He spent the weekend visiting his daughter, Erin, at the University of Massachusetts, where she is a senior, and according to the newspaper, "shut off most communication with the media and even his coaching staff."

As of Sunday night, Kentucky officials had not contacted Memphis asking permission to speak to Calipari.