Post-Standard/ Dennis Nett

Let’s just cut through the bullsh*t of the Bernie Fine saga. ESPN and Mark Schwarz were brazenly overzealous in trying to break the story, and there was something not quite right about the Fine’s relationship with Bobby Davis. Other than that, the whole thing became a rollicking theater of the absurd.

I hate to say it, but just look at Laurie Fine. Does that seem like a completely normal person to you? Who knows what to believe with “the tape.” Maybe it was doctored completely, maybe it opened a window to the twisted inner-workings of the Fine household. Either way, some of the accusers have been discredited, and it’s obvious the Fines had some weird skeletons in the closet.

But just being strange (in comparison to the warped “normal society” that we live in) is not enough to place the crosshairs on a family, a coach and a university like ESPN did. Here’s the deal: ESPN doesn’t break news anymore. Not real news where sports intersects with the realities of normal life. Sure, Adam Schefter breaks “Peyton Manning to the Broncos” news. Chris Broussard breaks “LeBron James has a headache” news. But ESPN leaves the real heavy lifting to Yahoo! Sports, the New York Times, HBO’s Real Sports and Sports Illustrated.

• Deadspin laid the hammer to ESPN back in December

Why? Because ESPN has league rights to the NFL, MLB, NBA and college sports. It’s not in the business of crapping on its corporate partners (which is exactly what those entities are – they’re all sitting around the same board room table).

Yet, there’s this awkward investigative arm known as “Outside the Lines” which employs Schwarz and other reporters/journalists. Well, with the deepest pockets in media, how is it possible ESPN has been routinely beaten to Cam Newton, Michael Vick, Joe Paterno, Reggie Bush, Nerlens Noel, concussions, conference realignment and scores of other real sports scoops? Simple. They suck.

They don’t wanna know this stuff. They don’t really do any digging. They’re the store front window display, but inside the shop none of it’s for sale. So Lisa Salters and Jeremy Schaap “break news” on one-legged triathletes and charity work by Dikembe Mutombo. Then when some crap really hits the fan, they trot out venerable Bob Ley to engage a panel discussion with opinion makers. 

So, the biggest sports media entity in the world was beaten to the biggest scandal in sports history by everyone including the Patriot News. And what happened? Suddenly, those old Bobby Davis tapes from 2003 started getting dusted off again. And Schwarz began acting as though Syracuse University was the modern edition of Sodom and Gomorrah. And ESPN ran itself dizzy trying to insist it had finally broken “real news.” Oh, and dramatically slow-played the tape for ratings purposes.

This is Schwarz’s smoking gun:

“I would have taken a run at it every month of my career between 2003 and 2011 if I could have been pulled off other events and other coverage. If someone said you can either do this story, or you can do 100 NBA championship events or 17 World Series, which would you do, I would do this story and let other people cover the World Series.”

Nice. Even though you assumed you were allowing a pedophile to ruin someone’s life for nearly a decade, you simply had to cover Spurs-Nets in the Finals because Ed Werder couldn’t do it. And this obviously became his personal crusade, especially once the Paterno news broke.

I’m pretty certain the Fine’s aren’t completely clean in all this. Everyone needs a shower every time Laurie Fine or Bobby Davis or Mike Lang try to explain what was going on. But ESPN’s obscenely irresponsible reporting on this is far more criminal. All because they’re trying to keep up with a charade.

Posted: D.A.

cbssports,.com

Syracuse’s signing of Michael Gbinije seemed to come out of nowhere. He wasn’t on many radars in CNY before last weekend, averaging less than 6 minutes a game for Duke. When he decided to transfer, there was little buzz about where he might end up. Suddenly, Orange Nation woke up Saturday morning the Per’fessor had a new student. How did this all happen so quietly? Because unlike other coaches, Mike Krzyzewski gets it on the transfer front.

Sometimes when a player transfers, it has little to do with basketball. Other times, it’s all about playing time. Jared Uthoff decided Bo Ryan’s system wasn’t for him, and had every right to leave. Iowa’s Mr. Basketball has pro aspirations, and wants to maximize his potential. The Wisconsin coach fought it, likely out of the fear Uthoff could succeed somewhere else and make the program look bad.

Yet Gbinije was able to come to Syracuse without resistance. While Ryan, “settled” for not allowing Uthoff to play in the B1G, Krzyzewski let Gbinije go to a future conference rival. By the time MG suits up for the Orange, Syracuse and Duke will both be ACC powers. Gbinije could wind up beating the Blue Devils for three years, but give Coach K credit for looking past that. 

Jim Boeheim and Coach K have very different approaches. The Per’fesser even wondered aloud a few months ago why there’s a double-standard questioning his tactics (the zone) and not K’s. But ultimately the two HOFers are soldiers-in-arms, working together on Team USA.

Krzyzewski often talks about making his players better men. Boeheim says he’s “just a basketball coach” and what his players do away from the court is up to them. Both approaches work, and the duo has built their legacies by being about the players. Any time either Boeheim or Coach K receives a basketball honor, they always immediately thank their athletes.

However, actions speak louder than words. By allowing Gbinije to transfer in conference proves Coach K practices what he preaches. After the Badgers fiasco, Boeheim publicly said his friend had gotten this one wrong. When Dion Waiters wanted to transfer, Boeheim reportedly told him no problem. Whatever was best for Dion. Waiters’s mom knew that would bring her son right back to SU.

That college coaches have the power to restrict where their players can transfer is a joke. That many actually exercise that power is even worse. It’s nice to see in this case two of the most successful coaches of all time came together and did the right thing. Be the change you want to see in the world. Maybe the NCAA will follow suit and fix this embarrassment. But probably not.

Posted: Craig Hoffman

AP Photo

Credit Rak, Cooney and the annual Mayfest party for Syracuse landing Duke transfer Michael Gbinije this weekend. He’s looking for a fresh start, and spoke to The Fizz about why SU is the best place to do that. The 6’6″ forward was on the Hill Friday hanging with Rakeem Christmas, and then officially transferred from Durham. He couldn’t be any more excited about the change. Gbinije, a freshman last year for the Blue Devils, played limited minutes for Coach K’s bunch. He announced his plans to transfer nearly two weeks ago. Orange Nation woke up to some good news on Saturday morning, as SU adds the physical swingman to its roster for 2013. Gbinije tells The Fizz that he found a new home.

“It feels good. Syracuse is a good fit. I feel comfortable with the coaching staff and I just feel like this is the best place for me to have a fresh start. I can’t wait to come and enjoy the rest of my college career up there.”

In case you’re wondering it’s pronounced Ben-Uh-Jay. Silent G. Probably the biggest factor in reeling in Gbinije was his pal Christmas. The two had played together in numerous offseason and national tournaments. Gbinije and Christmas spent the day together while MG was visiting. The two hung out at the always delirious Mayfest, and Gbinije feels a bond.

“Rakeem is real cool. We were on the same team for the [2011] Jordan Brand Classic, and I got a chance to kick it with him. Me and him enjoy the same things and have similar personalities.”

Gbinije also said he was very close with Trevor Cooney. MG actually spoke with the sharpshooter extensively about the experience of sitting out for an entire season. Due to transfer rules, we won’t see the Virginia native in action until fall ’13. He does, however, have three full years of eligibility left. Is Gbinije frustrated about riding the pine for a year? Nope, he’s actually embraced the idea. He tells The Fizz sitting out next year is very important for his development.

“I feel that it is a season needed so I can make some improvements to my game, and get adjusted to Syracuse basketball. I can get my body ready to play, and work on some of my weaknesses. I think this will work out good for me.”

What’s so effective about Gbinije’s game is his ability to get to the rim, but also his deadly spot up shooting. He can beat you inside and out because he’s such an aggressive attacker. You have to be able to guard both elements of his game. His play is similar to Kris Joseph, but Gbinije is a bit quicker and has a better ability to drive. He and Cooney should compliment one another well down the road. This adds necessary depth to a team that will be losing Brandon Triche to graduation after this season, and the possibility Michael Carter-Williams could leave for the NBA early.

Gbinije was the seventh-best small forward in the class of ’11. Syracuse had offered him during his recruitment process, but he verbally committed to Duke late in his junior year. He did admit though that he had a good deal of interest in SU during the time. Playing for Jim Boeheim was always exciting for Gbinije, and now he has the opportunity to do so.

“It’s an honor to play for him. He has accomplished so much with not just Syracuse basketball, but team USA, and I feel he can help improve me as a basketball player.”

Gbinije did not want to talk about why he left Duke. It’s something he has already put behind him, as he is looking forward to his future at Syracuse. He said couldn’t get enough of the “great energy” from the campus when he was up here on Friday. Although SU fans didn’t expect any additions to its roster this weekend, the inclusion of Gbinije will be huge down the road. And in his first season with SU, he’ll get to show Coach K exactly what he missed out on.

Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald

If Melo plays, Syracuse beats Ohio State. In a TD Garden 75% Orange, Fab is able to bother Jared Sullinger into some uncharacteristic mistakes. Sully struggles against bigger players (see Kansas’ Jeff Withey in the Final Four). Sullinger also loves to lower his shoulder, and Melo would’ve drawn a handful of charges on him. Even in the foul fest the Elite 8 turned into, Melo provides five of them (Rakeem Christmas and Baye Keita finished with four each). The Orange cuts down the nets in front of 12,000 delirious SU fans and moves on to New Orleans.

SU would have faced the Jayhawks in the Final Four, and while KU exceeded expectations all season, and Bill Self once again proved himself as incredible coach, the ‘Hawks don’t shoot well from outside. Kansas’ best 3-point shooter was Tyshawn Taylor at 38% on the year. Taylor started the NCAA Tournament missing his first twenty treys because he said he can’t shoot in domes. The length of Kentucky harassed Thomas Robinson all night, and Syracuse would’ve been just as long. In a defensive struggle, Kansas just can’t score enough. And if the Jayhawks wanted to push the pace and run, like they did against UNC, Syracuse would be licking its chops. Orange wins to advance to the title game.

This would have set up the showdown everyone wanted to see. The two best teams in the nation all year. The top two seeds in the tourney. Depth and chemistry vs. depth and chemistry. UK’s talent is superior to SU’s, and if the two teams played 10 times, the Wildcats win seven of them. But could Monday night have been one of those three Orange upsets?

The young Wildcats have never seen anything like Syracuse’s 2-3 zone, and that alone is enough for Syracuse to have a shot. Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb can be shaky with the ball, and Jim Boeheim would have extended the zone. Despite not being a great rebounder, Fab’s top priority would have been to keep Anthony Davis off the glass. Melo is one of the rare big men with the size and athleticism to actually box out The Brow. If Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has one weakness in his game, it’s his outside shot. He may have had problems penetrating the zone.

Anything can happen in a single elimination tournament, but Kentucky would have still been too much for SU. Between Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrance Jones and Davis, Syracuse would have been murdered on the boards. The Orange allowed mediocre rebounding teams to have field days on the offensive glass. But that UK trio is elite, and are all capable of having 20-rebound nights. The ‘Cats also had enough shooters to beat the zone. While MKG isn’t the best perimeter marksman, Lamb and Darius Miller cannot be left open. Marquis Teague isn’t afraid to let fly, and even Davis can step out to the 3-point line and shoot.

The UK front line all can serve as zone busters as well. Deshaun Thomas was a major problem for SU because he handled the ball out of the high post. Davis had 6 assists in the championship game, and developed as a point guard before an insane growth spurt. Jones can handle the ball and can shoot from 18 and in. Calipari uses Kidd-Gilchrist as an extra ball handler against full court presses, and he could play point forward if need be. Those guys would cause Boeheim nightmares running in and out of the high post.

Then there’s UK’s defense, with Davis patrolling the middle. By the end of our Fantasy Final Four, the Wildcats are just too much. The game would keep swinging from track meet to defensive struggle. SU is perhaps the only team in the country that could keep up with Kentucky in a fast-paced affair. In fact, Syracuse might be better in transition thanks to Dion Waiters’ ability getting to the basket. The game could go scoreless for 3 minutes, and then have runs where each team scores 10 in just 90 seconds. It would be one hell of a battle.

Davis finishes as the MOP while rebounding over and around Fab to the tune of 12 points and 15 boards. Lamb proves that he’s a big game player and shoots over the zone for 24 huge points. Kidd-Gilchrist gives Kris Joseph fits defensively, and Kris is  limited on offense scoring only 8. Scoop goes out with a bang, doing what he pleases with the freshman Teague and has 16 and 8 assists, but turns it over 4 times. Waiters has 20, but in the end it’s not enough.

Syracuse had a tremendous season, and one to be proud of despite the bitter end. That ending can be blamed on Melo’s absence, but  even if he was present in the Fantasy Final Four, UK still would have cut down the nets.

Posted: Craig Hoffman

NewsTimes.com

Editor’s note: The Fizz is rebooting its series from last year asking “What Went Wrong?” We will unveil a new reason every day this week on why SU’s March run fell incomplete. 

• Part 1: Fab’s Absence. 
• Part II: NBA Lockout 
• Part III: K-Jo Never Found It
• Part IV: The Unforgiving Bracket

The Fizz has been theorizing reasons Syracuse was eliminated in the Elite 8, but we wrap up the series with the most obvious headache of all: the officiating. Given the referees decision to call the game as tight as they did, there was little hope of the Orange advancing to New Orleans.

It wasn’t a basketball game – it was a foul shooting contest. And the Buckeyes had more chances at the line to put them on top. Basketball is supposed to be an up and down, fast-paced game with physical play allowed down low. This contest was physical, but had no flow to it – and the refs are to blame.

The refs treated their whistles like Pringle cans: once you pop you can’t stop. The numbers from the game are simply staggering: 49 fouls called against just 43 field goals made. The Buckeyes had more free throws than minutes played. Both teams were in the double bonus with more than 10:00 to play in the game. That just shouldn’t happen with the Final Four is on the line. This is exactly the type of game that favored OSU, and spelled doom for the Orange.

Syracuse is at its best when it can get into transition and play up-tempo. SU is nearly unstoppable in transition with playmakers capable of leading the break and finishing off easy buckets. But there was never any chance of that because of the inordinate time spent at the foul line.

A huge turning point in the first half came when Brandon Triche was called for a charge with a tie game, 23-23. Triche made a strong move to the basket, apparently drawing a foul and a free-throw. However, for some odd reason the zebras called it the other way negating the basket. Without question it was a block, and it cost SU a potential three-point lead. Jim Boeheim promptly went ballistic and received a technical foul. Buford only hit one from the line, but a 26-23 Orange advantage turned into a 24-23 Ohio State lead. Syracuse needed the lead at half with the way the game was being called, especially with Jared Sullinger on the bench for the Buckeyes.

One of our commenters, OrangeCrush22, nailed another terrible called that turn this game around in the second half.

“With 5-7 minutes left in the game ‘Cuse down 2  points, OSU possession, Sullinger gets the ball in the low post, dribbles towards the foul line for what looks to be a baby hook, but trips over his own feet before and Baye is called for a foul. Sullinger hits both free throws and ‘Cuse is down 4. That’s 2 points that OSU is given by refs.”

This mistake was huge because of the SU momentum after being down double-digits in the second half. The Orange never tied the game or regained the lead after this. If this play is called correctly SU would have had an opportunity to knot the game up. Instead, OSU extended the lead to four and had cushion to work with the rest of the game.

The Fizz acknowledges there were calls that went in favor of the Orange throughout the game. But the entire pace of the game was dictated by the officials, which was a clear advantage for the Buckeyes. Ohio State deserves credit for outplaying SU. The Buckeyes also capitalized on their never-ending turn at the charity stripe.

In the 2003 National Championship Kansas lost the game at the foul line shooting an abysmal 12-30. Syracuse committed 22 fouls in ‘03, compared to 28 against Ohio State. The foul situation hurt both teams, with Dion Waiters only playing 20 minutes and Jared Sullinger playing just 26. The Fizz just wishes the best players, and the best team, would have decided the Elite 8.

Posted: Dave Van Moffaert

Sportsnation also has separated itself from the rest of the network for being less polished and more avant garde than many of its neighboring shows. It’s the best sports parts of Twitter, YouTube and blogs put in a blender and thrown onto a TV set.

So, of course the peeps behind the scenes over there found Hoffman’s intrepid camera work from the East regionals on You Tube. And of course they used it on their Weird Web Stories. And of course Colin was bewildered by the guy behind the lens for wasting time recording an alley-oop drill in practice when there’s a beautiful city in 80-degree weather waiting to be explored outside. Hoff, we need to get you out more.

“Now who found that? That is a very observant camera guy.” Hoff is printing that on his new business cards.

Brandon Reese is a great dude, so it’s good to see him make ESPN (it might be the only time so enjoy it, buddy). It’s also nice for the Orange to still rep Final Four week, even if only from afar.

Posted: D.A.

Editor’s note: The Fizz is rebooting its series from last year asking “What Went Wrong?” We will unveil a new reason every day this week on why SU’s March run fell incomplete. 

• Part 1: Fab’s Absence. 
• Part II: The NBA Lockout
• Part III: K-Jo Never Found It

Orange Nation has spent this week searching for answers after the Elite 8 loss last weekend, and so has The Fizz. One dynamic that has not been discussed enough is Syracuse’s draw. Back in early February, The Fizz listed Ohio State as one of SU’s 5 worst March matchups.

When the brackets were released sentiment was divided. Some felt SU had a relatively easy path to the Final Four. Others believed Ohio State, Florida State, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt could provide major headaches for the Orange. Now that the East Region has played itself out, it’s clear SU was unlucky with its draw.

The Selection Committee released its decision before Fab Melo was declared ineligible, which soured many early predictions of Syracuse’s road. UNC Asheville boasted itself as the best 16-seed ever, and battled the Orange in an unexpected struggle. In the Round of 32, Kansas State could’ve given SU a big time scare. The Wildcats rebounded well and were unafraid to mix it up down low. However, KSU aided the cause by suspending big man Jamar Samuels just before game time.

The Big 10 had been the best conference all season long, and that trend continued with the league putting four teams in the Sweet 16 (the Big East had a quarter of the field as well). SU drew Wisconsin, a squad that had the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and beat the zone. The Badgers stroked an insane 14 treys, but SU survived an instant classic and advanced to the Elite 8, where it would meet another B1G foe.

Syracuse’s placement in the East was a near certainty, but the 2-seed was not. Ohio State was clearly the most difficult matchup for the Orange of all the #2′s. Both Duke and Mizzou were embarrassingly knocked out by 15-seeds. That allowed Kentucky to get the 3-seed Baylor in the Elite 8. Meanwhile, had Michigan State survived Louisville, the Spartans would have faced 7-seed Florida for a chance at N’Awlins. Kansas is a solid 2-seed still playing, and would’ve been the next toughest draw for SU. Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor could’ve done damage on the Orange, but the Jayhawks overachieved all season and simply don’t have the depth of Ohio State. 

Once North Carolina suffered its injuries, Ohio State may have become next toughest opponent for SU in the entire tourney behind Kentucky. The Buckeyes had sharp shooters, waves of talent, experience in the best conference in the nation, and the inimitable Jared Sullinger. OSU was always a bad matchup for Syracuse and that was magnified by the absence of Fab.

In the Elite 8, Syracuse would’ve rather faced Baylor, KU, Florida, or a Louisville squad it beat twice. Eventually you have to play who’s in front of you. They don’t re-seed during the playoffs like the NBA. But after watching it unfold, there’s no question SU wasn’t helped by its 2-seed matchup.

Posted: Alex Plavin

Editor’s note: The Fizz is rebooting its series from last year asking “What Went Wrong?” We will unveil a new reason every day this week on why SU’s March run fell incomplete. 

• Part 1: Fab’s Absence. 
• Part II: The NBA Lockout

* * *

Kris Joseph sat in front of the cameras with his head hanging toward the table beneath him, hardly able to speak. He had just been asked what it felt like to have his college career end harshly and abruptly. After taking several seconds to compose himself, he put his feelings into perspective.

“It’s… it’s tough. It’s real tough knowing that my career is over. And knowing I won’t be playing with these guys again.”

Speaking of tough, Joseph had a tough time establishing a rhythm on offense for most of the NCAA Tournament. In total, he shot just 12 of 36 (33%) from the field over four games, with nine turnovers. In Boston, he scored only 17 combined points against Wisconsin and Ohio State, and visited the free throw line just four times.

The senior who was supposed to grow steadier as the lights grew brighter turned his usual quiet scoring into a flat out disappearing act. Occasional attempts to assert himself late in games resulted in clumsy turnovers. The Buckeyes knew Joseph wanted the left baseline, and no matter how many times he tried to get there, they steadfastly stood in his way. He missed the front-end free throw of a crucial one-and-one with 18 seconds left against the Badgers, giving Jordan Taylor a chance to stick a dagger in SU’s heart then and there.

Seeing the tears pour out of Kris and Scoop Jardine’s eyes following the Elite 8 made the loss doubly hard to handle. Both had wonderful careers on the Hill, and it’s a shame they couldn’t have ended with a trip to the Final Four.

Perhaps their time would have extended a couple games further if it weren’t for the idiocy of SU’s starting center. But alas, there is nothing the Orange could have done to change that. Fab Melo was gone, and there was no bringing him back. That was the reality Syracuse had to accept heading into the Big Dance for the second time in three years as a wounded one-seed.

The Orange still had enough talent and depth to win a National Championship. The road grew more treacherous without Fab, but a trip to New Orleans was still possible.

As we all know, the Orange never took that trip. Sadly, Kris Joseph served as one of the major culprits, along with poor refereeing, Fab Melo, and an Ohio State team that clicked at the just right time.

Three of those four factors were out of Syracuse’s control last Saturday. Joseph could have risen to the occasion, but he didn’t. And so his time in Orange up.

Posted: Andrew Kanell

ESPN.com

Editor’s note: The Fizz is rebooting its series from last year asking “What Went Wrong?” We will unveil a new reason every day this week on why SU’s March run fell incomplete. Read Part 1: Fab’s Absence.

* * *

For all of the potential land mines in Syracuse’s season, the Orange was still ranked either #1 or #2 for most of the season, and one good half from the Final Four. There are plenty of “What if’s?” What if Fab wasn’t suspended? What if K-Jo hadn’t missed so many layups against Ohio State? What if the officials had let SU and the Buckeyes actually play? There’s also the question of when. Syracuse picked the wrong year to be really good.

The NBA lockout has a lot of lingering effects. It canceled games and compressed the season creating some really bad basketball. It pushed back the trade deadline, giving Dwight Howard time to screw with us for an extra month. From a college basketball standpoint, it also sent many of college basketball’s best players back to school. The uncertainty of whether there would even be an NBA season influenced many top-flight college stars to stay in school for one more year. 

Kyrie Irving has turned out to be a really good rookie, but there’s no way he’s the top pick if the guys who were supposed to leave, left after last season. The first pick would have likely been Perry Jones III from Baylor. He came back to the Bears and made the Elite 8, where they lost to a loaded Kentucky squad. UK has been a runaway train all season, and definitely benefitted from Terrance Jones and Doron Lamb coming back to join its super freshmen. At least Jones, if not Lamb would have gone to the league. Because of it, the Wildcats might challenge its record 5 first-round picks from a few years back.

SU battled North Carolina in the polls all year. Everyone thought UNC was better because of absurd talent, but SU easily had the better resume. Tar Heels big man Harrison Barnes would have been a top 10, if not top 5 pick. John Henson would have been in the lottery. Tyler Zeller may have been a first round pick. All of them came back. Had North Carolina been healthy and beaten Kansas, SU would’ve played the Heels on Saturday.

Then there’s the team that ended Syracuse’s season. Jared Sullinger should have been a one-and-done, however NBA labor waters and an early exit from the tournament last year meant he came back for one more run at the Final Four.

In a “normal” year of college hoops, Syracuse would’ve played the role of Duke two years ago. The Blue Devils were a team with a near perfect mix of seniors and underclassmen who came together at the right time to win the title. There were just two differences. First was the play of those seniors – specifically the small forwards. While Kyle Singler played well for the Dukies, Kris Joseph was less than ideal for SU for the majority of the tournament. Joseph’s play would have been easier to overcome if the competition wasn’t so stiff. K-Jo would have had two more games to turn it around and there’s a great chance he could have. His approach was correct against Ohio State. He was in attack mode, but just wasn’t converting.

With all that went wrong in that game, the Orange only lost by 7. Louisville is still playing, and Syracuse beat the Cards twice – including a spanking on Senior Day. This team was good. Really good. It was Final Four caliber even without Fab Melo and in nearly any other year SU is heading to New Orleans. Instead, it was bound to eventually run into one of college basketball’s super teams, ones with NBA players in college uniforms. When it finally did, it was the end of the road.

Posted: Craig Hoffman

Couch is good columnist, who has worked at both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Sporting News, and been widely recognized. This is not an arm-chair blogger throwing ill-informed grenades for some pageviews. That’s why this piece is beneath him.

“For the most part, analysts, reporters and Boeheim’s coaching buddies were praising him for his success through adversity, not noting that it was his mess. Yes, the players, anyway, were impressive through it all. Give them that. But still, the NCAA did not need that mess as a focus at the Final Four.”

The Fizz has recently discussed the old adage “you sleep with dogs, you get fleas.” No Syracuse fan should feel sorry for the program because Fab Melo was ineligible. The Orange was responsible for a player who didn’t take his academics seriously enough, and ultimately had to sit him.

But Couch believes Saturday night’s outcome “Was the right finish, the feel-good finish. The NCAA saved face. Ohio State swept away the mess.”

The idea that SU would somehow bring an unnecessary spectacle of scandal is undeniably absurd. Look around the Final Four, Greg. Every single program has been embroiled in some of the NCAA’s biggest PR hits over the last decade.

We’ll start with Kentucky, whose head coach has presided over two vacated Final Fours. Couch needed only to search back 18 months into his own website’s archives to see a piece by his colleague Jeff Goodman, about UK’s slimy recruitment of Enes Kanter.

“John Calipari knew exactly what he was getting into. The Kentucky coach chose to ignore the widespread industry speculation that Wildcats freshman center Enes Kanter had accepted payments in the sum of six figures from his former pro team in Turkey.” 

That’s from September ’10. Boy, that Wildcats program comes dancing into New Orleans without any baggage, huh?

Just months earlier, the clean-cut Kansas Jayhawks program was uncovered to have been the center of a widespread ticket resale scandal. That of course, led to the bloodletting of an entire athletic department. No controversy to see here.

“A high-ranking member of the University of Kansas athletic department and the father of a prominent Jayhawks athlete allegedly made more than $800,000 in a ticket scalping operation that was orchestrated by college basketball power brokers David and Dana Pump.”

It also wasn’t long ago, Louisville head coach Slick Rick Pitino was testifying about his womanizing and philandering on the tables of Italian restaurants, dragging his family and school through the sordid court case. The Fizz has already highlighted how hypocritical the morally corrupt Pitino is, but it’s worth reminding Mr. Couch.

“Pitino has presented the image of a dedicated family man. His children frequent Louisville’s home games at Freedom Hall and he often speaks about his relationship with wife Joanne. 

Karen Sypher tried to extort $10 million from Pitino, and approached him in a restaurant six years ago and they had sex, the coach told police. Sypher says the sex happened after closing time at a table.

Two weeks later, the married father of five gave Karen Sypher $3,000 after she said she was going to have an abortion and didn’t have health insurance, according to a summary of Pitino’s July 12 statement to police.”

This weekend should be about celebrating Pitino’s career, though. And that brings us to Couch’s favorite, squeaky clean Buckeyes. As he wrote, “What a day!” Anyone seem to remember the Jim O’Brien era? Yeah, the one that ended in disgrace just a few years ago and a wiping out of the ’99 Final Four? What a day indeed!

“In April ’04, O’Brien was forced to disclose the payment of $6,000 to reruit Aleksandar Radojevic. AD Andy Geiger fired O’Brien for violation of NCAA rules. O’Brien filed a lawsuit against for wrongful termination and eventually wins a settlement of $2.2 million dollars. The NCAA put severe limitations on any university that hired O’Brien until 2009. The NCAA also put Ohio State on probation for 3 years and required the university to remove the trip to the Final Four in 1999 from the record books.”

No one in CNY is delusional enough to believe the SU program is without warts. You don’t need to remind us, we were the ones that endured Bernie Fine, Fab’s ineligibility, and the Yahoo! report. But let’s also remember, Fine was never brought up on charges, and the drug report did not include any current players.

Couch loved the story of Aaron Craft’s brother (and who doesn’t support a member of the U.S. armed forces?), Jared Sullinger returning to school, and Thad Matta’s health issues. But wouldn’t the Final Four be a good platform to also discuss Dion Waiters’ overnight maturity into a wonderfully coachable player? Or Scoop Jardine’s growth from his own personal demons into a leader for the U.S. national team this summer? Or Brandon Triche taking over the family torch from his uncle Howard to play for Jim Boeheim?

Nah, those Syracuse guys are just dripping in controversy. It’s too much of a distraction. The Orange is a publicity nightmare. Guess the only time the NCAA is really in a tough spot is when the scandals are of the current season.

Couch writes: “It’s too simple to paint things so black and white, of course. But that’s how sports are portrayed.” 

I wonder how that happens?

Posted: D.A.