Every single time that I think things can't get any worse, something happens to tell me I'm wrong.
24 hours ago, the future of OSU bball looked so bright. Number 1 freshman in the country on his way to Stillwater. Surrounded by a collection of newcomers and returnees that would allow us to field a roster with a chance to make the Sweet 16, or possibly, do even better than that. Even though CC would only be around for 1 season, the roster would still be flush with talent, allowing for continued success going forward.
Then the bottom drops out and it all goes to shit.
A few things I have been thinking about since the announcement...
Not only do we lose a chance at the post season, but we (likely) lose our chance to watch a magician like Cade playing for OSU. Not only do we lose that, but (likely) lose the excitement of watching our guy be the #1 pick in the NBA draft. Not only do we lost that, but we (likely) lose 15+ years of watching our guy perform as an NBA superstar.
In addition, what else do we lose? If I'm Flavors, I am looking for a new landing spot. Who knows what happens with guys like Walker, MAM and Williams? What about current guys looking to transfer out? Do we have another season of only 8 scholarship players ahead of us?
OSU cooperated with the NCAA. Is that the reason that we were the first to be handed sanctions? Did we actually pave the way for them to announce this before our newcomers are on campus and enrolled? If these sanctions are handed down 3 weeks from now, it seems likely that the chance of defections, from the roster, is greatly decreased.
Covid also plays a role here. If not for the pandemic, most of these guys would already be on campus living and playing together. In that scenario, it makes it more likely that they say, "well this sucks, but I am going to stick around and weather the storm".
As things stand, even if we appeal, and fight this, it might not matter. Players might leave due to the uncertainty, and the season/upcoming seasons might be dead in the water. The NCAA can come back and decide that they were too harsh, and drop down to probation and loss of only one scholarship, but the damage would be done.
It is very difficult to see an optimistic possibility here, where this all works out in a way that doesn't leave OSU basketball at the bottom of the Big 12 for the next 5 years (at least).
24 hours ago, the future of OSU bball looked so bright. Number 1 freshman in the country on his way to Stillwater. Surrounded by a collection of newcomers and returnees that would allow us to field a roster with a chance to make the Sweet 16, or possibly, do even better than that. Even though CC would only be around for 1 season, the roster would still be flush with talent, allowing for continued success going forward.
Then the bottom drops out and it all goes to shit.
A few things I have been thinking about since the announcement...
Not only do we lose a chance at the post season, but we (likely) lose our chance to watch a magician like Cade playing for OSU. Not only do we lose that, but (likely) lose the excitement of watching our guy be the #1 pick in the NBA draft. Not only do we lost that, but we (likely) lose 15+ years of watching our guy perform as an NBA superstar.
In addition, what else do we lose? If I'm Flavors, I am looking for a new landing spot. Who knows what happens with guys like Walker, MAM and Williams? What about current guys looking to transfer out? Do we have another season of only 8 scholarship players ahead of us?
OSU cooperated with the NCAA. Is that the reason that we were the first to be handed sanctions? Did we actually pave the way for them to announce this before our newcomers are on campus and enrolled? If these sanctions are handed down 3 weeks from now, it seems likely that the chance of defections, from the roster, is greatly decreased.
Covid also plays a role here. If not for the pandemic, most of these guys would already be on campus living and playing together. In that scenario, it makes it more likely that they say, "well this sucks, but I am going to stick around and weather the storm".
As things stand, even if we appeal, and fight this, it might not matter. Players might leave due to the uncertainty, and the season/upcoming seasons might be dead in the water. The NCAA can come back and decide that they were too harsh, and drop down to probation and loss of only one scholarship, but the damage would be done.
It is very difficult to see an optimistic possibility here, where this all works out in a way that doesn't leave OSU basketball at the bottom of the Big 12 for the next 5 years (at least).
