We got off easy

Tattler discusses the NCAA penalties against GSU men's basketball

January 27, 2010 Alex Brown Tailgate Tattler

abrown6182@yahoo.com

    The great and powerful Oz has spoken. Or maybe it was just the NCAA. Either way, Georgia Southern’s men’s basketball program finally learned on Wednesday what its punishment will be for what the NCAA called “major violations” which were “academic in nature.” Long story short: a former assistant coach and another staff member were helping a couple of the players with classes. And by helping, I mean writing papers and taking tests for them. Not good. Georgia Southern men’s basketball will face the following sanctions: loss of one scholarship for this and the next two seasons, number of recruiting visits this season reduced from 12 to 8, vacation of all wins from the previous two seasons, two years probation, and public reprimand and censure.
    Honestly, I think we got off easy. The only penalty that really hurts will be the loss of one scholarship for the next two years. Reducing recruiting visits for this year really doesn’t do much damage because CY already signed four in the early signing period. Did I mention that group was ranked #1 in the SoCon by ESPN? I think the Eagles will be just fine in that department. So as disgusted as I am with the whole situation – as much as I hate to see things like this come from my alma mater – I’m just glad it’s over. It was common knowledge this report was going to come out eventually. Now it’s out there and we can move on with life. Knowing there are no more suspicions and rumors of what the punishment will be is relieving. Now this program can focus on returning to the top of the conference and we can enjoy watching the team on the court.
    Speaking of, the Eagles are in the midst of a four game home stand. Last Wednesday, Appalachian State rolled into Hanner as the second place team in the SoCon North Division. Georgia Southern jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the early minutes, but the Mountaineers battled back to see the Eagles’ lead at just two going to halftime, 30-28. App went on an extended run of its own to open the second half and led by 13 points midway through the second half. But the Eagles would not quit. Antonio Hanson and Colby Wohlleb caught fire from behind the 3-point line during the last ten minutes and Hanner was rocking. Hanson’s three with under a minute to go gave Southern the lead and the Eagles held on to win a 68-65 thriller. On Saturday, the Eagles welcomed the Davidson Wildcats into Hanner Fieldhouse. After falling behind by as many as 21, the Eagles went on a late 22-4 run in less than six minutes, and got as close as three with a minute left. But the Wildcats held off the run to win 91-87. The homestand continues this week as The Citadel comes to town Thursday at 7 p.m. and arch-rival College of Charleston comes to Hanner Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
    The Lady Eagles are battling through a three game stretch of road games. Saturday, they completed the season sweep of Elon by winning 71-66. The Lady Eagles led by as many as 22, but had to hold off a late charge when Elon cut it to a one-point game with under a minute left. Monday night the Lady Eagles avenged a loss to Greensboro earlier in the season with a 63-55 win on the road at UNCG. Carolyn Whitney led Georgia Southern with 17 points. Next up for the Lady Eagles is a trip to Western Carolina for a 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon tip-off. Sweeping these three road games would be a huge momentum boost for this team. Keep it rolling, ladies.

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