After reading a lot of fine print and coverage from a number of sources, I have to warn Wildcat basketball fans that we're probably in for a long dry spell. Maybe not right away, depending on what else the FBI comes up with. But soon, because this isn't just about $20,000 and a player who won't come play for us next year. Nor about having a player who apparently accepted money and is already on our team. To put this thing in proper perspective, consider that Arizona and Miami were in a bidding war, apparently for, Nassir Little--espn's #14 recruit for 2018. Miami needed $150,000 to get him and a coach there had asked for that sum. Word was Little would probably attend Arizona because Adidas wasn't prepared to go more than $125,000. The player Book is alleged to have paid $15,000 is believed to be Quentin Grimes--espn's #13 recruit for 2018. If Grimes services could be bought with $15,000 paid to his mother, isn't it likely he got more from other sources? Something similar to what is said Little needed to commit. Arizona was probably in competition with Louisville for Brian Bowen (espn #14 for 2017) who is believed to have received $100,000 from Louisville (costing Rick Pitino his job). If Bowen was worth that much, how much might DeAndre Ayton (espn #3 this year) have been worth to UA? Not that I'm accusing Ayton of wrongdoing. I'm sure there are players out there who aren't accepting bribes to decide where they'll play. But it's the players who are the source of all the big TV money that allows these astounding salaries for assistant coaches, to say nothing of head coaches. Most of these kids don't come from wealthy homes. They risk their professional careers to injury every time they go on the court. It's hard to blame some of them who take an insurance policy if coaches, agents, shoe companies, and investment counselors are dangling the money in front of them. I hope I'm wrong, but it's hard to imagine that those who oversee Arizona's basketball and other profitable athletic programs aren't aware of college sports' black market. With the FBI hunting investigation continuing, our Wildcats are likely to see some players and personnel leaving the program and recruits with likely NBA futures no longer coming to play in Tucson. Remember the quality of basketball played here under Ben Lindsey? It could get worse--much worse.
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