NCAA Puts Frank Haith Case On Hold Due To Its Own Misconduct

Recently, it appeared that the NCAA was close to taking action against Frank Haith, current basketball coach at the University of Missouri and former coach of the University of Miami. The allegations stemmed from an NCAA investigation into Miami’s athletic department, and it was widely believed that Haith was expected to face NCAA charges for unethical conduct and a show-cause penalty.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the case against Haith has been put on hold by the NCAA due to misconduct by its own rules enforcement staff. Basically, the NCAA is punishing itself.

The misconduct stemmed from how the NCAA enforcement staff obtained their information in the Haith case. Details were improperly obtained through a federal bankruptcy case – an area in which the NCAA does not have subpoena power. Worse, the enforcement staff paid defense attorney Nevin Shapiro for the information. Shapiro is currently in prison for his role in a Ponzi scheme, and is a former Miami booster who accused Haith of being involved in payments going towards players and recruits.

This turn of events should help Haith keep his coaching job at Missouri, as the case is both suspended for the time being, and weakened by the actions of the NCAA. Just a few days ago, it appeared that the allegations against Haith could be enough to force Missouri to look for a new basketball coach. Now, Haith will at the very least be able to finish coaching the Tigers this season, while his legal team has ammunition to attack the NCAA and its infractions committee.

The ruling on the NCAA could also lead to legal action regarding other significant actions college sports’ governing body has made. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is suing the NCAA to void the sanctions leveed on Penn State as a result of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, and more lawsuits against the NCAA could follow.

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Kansas Once Again Beats KState In Manhattan

Kansas seized early control of the Big 12 conference race last night, edging Kansas State 59-55 in Manhattan. The Jayhawks have now won 16 straight games, and are still unbeaten in conference play. KU has won 45 of its last 48 games against KState, including a 23-2 mark in Bramlage Coliseum.

During the second half, it appeared that the Jayhawks were going to put the Wildcats away for good thanks to Ben McLemore. The redshirt freshman, who will be an early in pick in next year’s draft, scored five consecutive points to give Kansas a 10 point lead. However, KState got an answer from Shane Southwell, who hit consecutive three pointers to keep the Wildcats close. Southwell, who had a career high 19 points, also got KSU within three late, however KU closed the game out at the free throw line.

The 59 points were a season low for Kansas, and concerns about the team’s offense continue to grow. Kansas is averaging only 61 points per game in its last four contests, relying on its stout defense to grind out wins. While KU’s defense will keep them in every game, Bill Self will have to address the offense and try to get better play out of senior point guard Elijah Johnson, who has struggled mightily in conference play.

On paper, this is the toughest regular season game the Jayhawks had remaining, and the win now makes them heavy favorites to claim a ninth-straight Big 12 title. KU will face Oklahoma at home on Saturday, which should provide the team with another tough test. The Sooners are 4-1 in conference play this season, including impressive recent wins over Oklahoma State and Texas.

KState will have to regroup quickly, as they travel to Ames on Saturday to face Iowa State, who also only has one loss in conference play – which came in overtime in Lawrence against Kansas.

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Kansas - Kansas State Preview

The stakes are higher than normal for this year’s first installment of the Sunflower Showdown, as (3) Kansas and (11) Kansas State will be playing for sole possession of first place in the Big 12. Both schools are currently undefeated in league play.

Despite riding a nation-leading 15 game winning streak, the Jayhawks have struggled recently, squeaking out narrow victories over Iowa State and Texas. Kansas has struggled offensively, yet has been bailed out routinely by a great defensive effort led by the nation’s best shot blocker, Jeff Withey. Kansas does have the potential to get hot on offense, especially if freshman Ben McLemore, who leads the Jayhawks in scoring with 16.4 ppg, can get into a groove.

The Wildcats have won eight games in a row, and senior Rodney McGruder has been largely responsible for KSU’s recent surge. McGruder is averaging 15.5 ppg this season, and has been on a tear since conference play began. McGruder will most likely draw Kansas’ Travis Releford, who is one of the best perimeter defenders in the entire country. In the Wildcats two meetings with the Jayhawks last season, McGruder struggled, shooting only 9 of 30 from the floor and 1 of 7 from three. If KState is going to turn the tide against KU, he will have to find a way to be a factor offensively.

The Jayhawks are a ridiculous 22-2 in Bramlage Coliseum since it opened in 1987 and have won 44 of the last 47 meetings. While KU has struggled offensively lately, they still have more firepower than KState and could be due for a big game. The matchup between Releford and McGruder will be the key to this one. If McGruder can continue to play well, KState will have a strong shot at the upset. If Releford once again shuts McGruder down, it may likely be business-as-usual for the Jayhawks in Manhattan.

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Chiefs Sign Free Agents

New Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has hit the ground running in his new role, signing two free agents recently. Kansas City has acquired defensive tackle Daniel Muir and offensive tackle Steven Baker.

Muir began his career with the Green Bay Packers – where Dorsey spent the last 21 seasons – as an undrafted free agent. He is best known for his time in Indianapolis, where he played for four seasons with the Colts and started for them in Super Bowl XLIV. Muir spent last season with the New York Jets, where he failed to gain any significant playing time. In his six year career, Muir has appeared in 46 games while making 26 starts.

Kansas City also signed offensive tackle Steven Baker, who was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent last season but was released just before the regular season began. Baker played his college ball at East Carolina, and spent last season on Arizona’s practice squad.

The signing of both players, especially Muir, seems like an attempt to add some depth and competition. It is unlikely that either player will become a significant contributor for Kanas City next season. New Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton was a defensive assistant for the Jets last season, so it is possible that he saw something in Muir that made him worth pursuing. At the very least, Sutton will have an experienced player who knows his scheme and can help bring the other defensive lineman up to speed.

Many expect the Chiefs to begin addressing several other positions of need via free agency, including wide receiver, cornerback and possibly quarterback. The players the team signs in free agency may also provide Chiefs fans with a more clear picture in regards to who the Chiefs will target in the 2013 NFL draft.

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Ben McLemore Returns To Practice, Will Play Saturday For Kansas

Kansas fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief, as freshman guard Ben McLemore has fully returned to practice and expects to be close to 100% when the No. 4 Jayhawks travel to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. McLemore had rolled his ankle late in KU’s blowout win over Baylor on Monday night, suffering a mild ankle sprain that initially looked very serious.

McLemore has been one of the best players in the country this season, averaging 16.4 points per game while shooting 50% overall and 44% from three. The redshirt freshman is expected to be one of the top players selected in the 2013 NBA draft, and has been one of the biggest reasons why Kansas is a heavy favorite to win its ninth straight Big 12 title and make a second-consecutive Final Four.

McLemore’s return is also critical due to KU’s upcoming schedule. After traveling to Austin on Saturday, the Jayhawks will travel to Manhattan to play No. 16 Kansas State before hosting Oklahoma next Saturday. Like Kansas, K-State and Oklahoma are both undefeated in Big 12 play so far. If Kansas can win those games, it may have an insurmountable lead in the Big 12 race.

Around the Big 12, there are several other interesting matchups this weekend. K-State and Oklahoma will face off in Manhattan, as both teams will look to remain undefeated in conference play. The Sooners beat the Wildcats twice last season, and could make a serious push for an NCAA tournament berth with a big upset over KSU on the road. Oklahoma State, the team many thought would finish second to Kansas in the Big 12 standings, will try to rebound from two early conference losses as they host struggling Texas Tech. Also, watch out for Iowa State – after losing to Kansas in overtime to start Big 12 play, the Cyclones have looked impressive in two straight league wins. ISU will visit league-worst TCU tomorrow.

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