By Gary Edwards
Like a fresh dusting of snow, Virginia’s 85-77 overtime win over Texas Tech in the NCAA national championship game has given college basketball a much needed cleansing. But while the Cavaliers’ redemptive victory can change the landscape for a while, make no mistake the soot and dirt still lay beneath the surface.
Barely a year ago, UVA coach Tony Bennett left his heart in Charlotte as UMBC became the first 16 seed to upset an overall number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. So this year’s title run had to be especially satisfying not only to Cavalier fans, but also to anyone who values what is supposedly good and right about college athletics.
Because it seems young Mr. Bennett and his Cavaliers do try to do things the right way. Not only do they roll up their collective sleeves and play a stifling, old-fashioned defense, they have not been plagued by the endless scandals infecting many of their competitors.
Virginia’s opponent in the national semi-finals, Auburn, has burned through two assistant coaches this season alone. Chuck Person was indicted last fall in the FBI sting involving bribes by Adidas to steer talented young basketball players to Adidas schools. Just a few weeks ago, Tigers assistant Ira Bowman was suspended for his role in the admissions scam rocking the higher education landscape.
Now it is being alleged that Nike funneled money to Zion Williamson’s mother so he would attend Duke, Nike’s flagship college basketball program. And you thought all those talented basketball players were choosing Duke for the education.
Cheating has been going on in college basketball since UCLA coach John Wooden and notorious Bruin booster Sam Gilbert enticed players from all over the country to go to Southern California. It paid to cheat back then and it pays to cheat now.
Most successful, high-level college basketball coaches have learned to insulate themselves from the stink. They have the shoe companies or other middle-men do their bidding for them, and in some cases they don’t even know what has been offered under the table.
But don’t believe they don’t know something is going on. Jim Boeheim’s charming personality is not what has lured great players to the tundra of Syracuse through the years.
But perhaps naively I don’t think Tony Bennett cheats to get players. I think he recruits guys who are willing to work hard and buy into his selfless system. They seem to always lead the country in defensive proficiency, and the glamorous one and done guys rarely play defense.
And now those hard-working lads, who persevered through the heartbreak of last year’s tournament, are National Champions. The Virginia Cavaliers are to be celebrated!
At least until the snow melts.