Two more games the previous couple of days. One more and the U18 USA squad gets to take home the Gold.

The USA squad faced Brazil and Argentina. Argentina was dispatched 107-72. Brazil, though, gave the USA team their toughest and closest game of the tournament as the USA squad won by only 19 points.

It is the Brazilians who the US team will face one more time for the gold. Since the tournament is being held in Brazil, there is that home team factor for the crowd. Still, the USA team is and should be favored to finish this tournament on top of the podium.

But, who cares about the entire USA team. How’s James Robinson doing?

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We have read and heard the cry for the NCAA to issue the “Death Penalty” to the Penn State football program due to a lack of institutional control because of the particulars of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal.   However, does what happened meet the NCAA’s own criteria and purpose of their rule regarding institutional control?

Perhaps the pertinent question is why the NCAA should even be involved in this?  Back on November 10, 2011 the NCAA President Mark Emmert’s public statement on this was as follows:

“Regarding the ongoing Penn State criminal investigation, the NCAA is actively monitoring developments and assessing appropriate steps moving forward. The NCAA will defer in the immediate term to law enforcement officials since this situation involved alleged crimes. As the facts are established through the justice system, we will determine whether Association bylaws have been violated and act accordingly. To be clear, civil and criminal law will always take precedence over Association rules.”

Emmert basically said that ‘we’ll wait until the dust settles then decide if we want to get involved’. Perhaps that was the right and legally correct thing to say.  I expect that it wasn’t nearly as forceful as some wanted it to be.  That last sentence -“To be clear, civil and criminal law will always take precedence over Association rules.” –  is the open door to not getting their hands dirty or having to deal with it at all.

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I love the enthusiasm the Greentree Summer League generates. That it gets fans excited for basketball as early as June. I love that Pittsburgh has a a summer league to give the local college players (read: Pitt) a reason to stay in the Burgh over the summers. Rather than face the choice of going home to play in some more competitive games or stay in Pittsburgh and take classes. It has become even more important now that the NCAA allows some instructional practices with the coaches during the summer.

Now for the caveat. It is still just summer league. It is not a mere pick-up game. It is also not even at the intensity of a pre-season exhibition game. It is rather casual. The talent level is decent and no one really wants to lose. But, no one should be killing themselves at it.

So this game marked the debut of sorts for Steven Adams in Pittsburgh.

Pitt five-star recruit Steven Adams was surprised to see fans standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the tiny gym at Greentree Sportsplex.

“For real, people standing up?” he said. “What the hell? It shows you how committed they are.”

Or they should be.

/rim shot

The summer league is also in a nice sweet spot for timing. Obviously no hockey or football. Not even mini-camps for the Steelers. Heck, even the Pirates were off last night.

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Frank the Tank has a very good post on ways the ACC can work to appease/keep FSU (and Clemson) in the fold. Some are simple fixes like the schedule issues and making sure to engage the faculties/academic side at both schools. The ND tie-in to the Orange Bowl also makes sense, and I’ve heard mentioned elsewhere. The divisional realignment to North-South (and designating Miami as “north”) makes a lot of sense, though, I suspect VT would be leading the fight against it as there is a reduced access to Georgia and the Carolinas for the North schools as a result. The ESPN part would be very important for the overall integrity of the conference, and would also reduce the risk of other schools running for lifeboats if there is a raid from the Big 12.

This is pretty simple: agree with ESPN that even if Florida State and Clemson leave, ESPN won’t reduce the value of the recently signed ACC TV contract (which averages a bit over $17 million per school per year).  There’s pretty clear precedent for this scenario with ESPN agreeing to do the same with the Big 12 in 2010 and then coming to an understanding with the Big 12 again in 2011 to have a new contract extension.  As I’ve noted in a previous post, the ACC is actually the single largest content provider to ESPN of any sports entity (whether college or pro), so there’s even less incentive for ESPN to see the ACC break apart compared to the Big 12 (with whom ESPN has a much more limited package) the last couple of years.  Contrary to what many fans seem to believe, ESPN has a significant interest in not seeing the formation of superconferences because they do not want to deal with concentrated power entities that have NFL-type negotiating leverage.  Dispersal of power is how ESPN is able to keep college sports rights fees somewhat in check.  (To put rights fees in perspective, the Big Ten, which is the wealthiest conference, currently receives about $100 million per year from ESPN/ABC for first tier rights.  By comparison, ESPN pays over $100 million per game to the NFL for Monday Night Football.)

The irony of this scenario is that would kick in over $2 million in TV money per year extra to each of the remaining 12 ACC schools, which would raise their total annual per school payouts to close to the $20 million level that the Big 12 is reportedly negotiating with ESPN and Fox.  So, Florida State and Clemson could end up leaving for more TV money in the Big 12, which would actually result in an increase in TV money for the rest of the ACC that would match what the Big 12 schools receive.  That would certainly be enough to take TV rights fees off the table as an issue for the remaining ACC members.

On the matter of the divisional changes, the opposition would be strongest from Virginia Tech and probably Maryland. VT loves the recruiting inroads it has made to the south and Maryland likely would not like to be further isolated from its original member schools. From a Pitt side of things, a shift would be fine. Having Maryland as an annual football game simply makes the most sense. Maryland will be the school closest to Pitt in the ACC and the ACC is setting things up for a Pitt-Maryland basketball rivalry. They just aren’t doing it from a football side as well.

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Busy day for basketball. There’s USA-Brazil at 5pm Eastern and Greentree Summer League action kicks off tonight.

In the USA U18 competition, the USA team has had it easy so far. Beating Mexico and the US Virgin Islands by a combined 215-101. James Robinson has been coming off the bench in the games, but still has played 33 minutes in the first two games.

Robinson has 9 assists and only 1 turnover through those games. Robinson leads the team in assists. Plus 5 rebounds (all defensive). He has 3 steals — all in the game against Mexico. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he is shooting only 2-7 so far, and 0-3 on three-pointers. He’s gotten to the free throw line but he is only 3-6. In the Mexico game, he committed 5 fouls in 16 minutes of action. Not a problem. Based on his highlights on YouTube, and what recruiting sites have said about him, the problem is that Billy Donovan isn’t using him right. He has to start and play at least 25 minutes a game. That or it is obvious he is an overhyped bust (I kid, I kid).

There’s plenty of firepower on the USA squad, so Robinson’s shooting isn’t a major concern for the squad. And he’s not the only one struggling. Jerami Grant, his high school teammate and Cuse commit is 1-9 shooting and while getting to the free throw line, is only hitting 2/3 of the FTs.

The USA-Brazil game will be on a live feed at the FIBA site.

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We here at The Blather have steered relatively clear of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and trial because had we tried to follow it closely it would dominate this blog.  Since this is a PITT sports blog and because writing is hard enough that was our choice.

However, here is an opinion piece entitled Saturday Diary / Tarnished and traumatized, we are still Penn State in yesterday’s Post-Gazette from a recent PSU graduate, Lexi Belculfine, who worked on the PSU student newspaper over the last four years, obviously including reporting on the issuance of the Grand Jury report and the subsequent fallout and on-going trial.

I did write an article on The Blather immediately after the Grand Jury report was issued entitled  Flames around State College.  Upon re-reading it and reflecting back through the prism of all the information I now have from following the scandal and trial today; I don’t think I would change anything.  I ended that Nov 9^th piece with these thoughts:

“I don’t revel in this happening to Penn State.  I’ve always held a healthy respect for both the University and for the football program.  I’ve been around a few blocks in my 56 years, both personally and professionally, so I certainly never bought into the hype that PSU and its fans have worked so hard to create.  I’ve also worked in law enforcement and have seen many instances of lying and deception although nothing of this magnitude.

But now? Now I look at the University exactly how it must be looked at by the criminal justice system of the state of Pennsylvania.  As an entity where heinous crimes were committed and where lying, deceit and abuse of authority has run rampant.  The State must forget about reputations, past good works and loss of revenue and do the right thing. Prosecute to the highest extent of the law. To not do so sends a message that there are institutions more powerful that the State itself and that the power they wield can twist the fabric of our basic right of protection against deliberate harm by others.”

  I believe Ms. Belculfine means much the same but with less strength of wordage.  She seems to have taken great pains to not only look at her whole PSU experience with a clear eye but also to examine the Sandusky scandal and its impact on her university, which she loves, in much the same unjaundiced eye and then go public with it.  That is not an easy thing to do when such strong public negative emotions are still running rampant on this subject.

Her wrap up is heartfelt and I believe her thoughts here are something that all of us want – complete investigations and complete justice and punishment for those involved not only in the abuses but also in the cover-up – no matter how far back it goes.  She writes:

But what defines “the end?” For the victims, recovery may extend years beyond a verdict or sentence. We can hope more questions will be answered about the university’s handling of the Sandusky affair — from former FBI director Louis Freeh’s internal investigation and other investigations and litigation.

As for me, I hope for reflection and growth, and a revived faith in my alma mater. As they say, we are still Penn State.”

  In my opinion it is important to understand that not every PSU alumni/supporter are like some of their more obsessed and rationalizing fans we read on the message boards.  To think that they are is prejudiced and, I think, naïve.  I believe it is going to continue to get worse for the PSU family even after this trial ends because of the new revelations that have surfaced of complicit illegal behavior to keep theses abuse cases in-house so as to protect the persons involved.  In trying protect the persons involved they were in fact trying to insure their own self interests and those of the University.

I appreciated this young lady’s opinion piece; I disagree with some of what she feels and says but I don’t see it as an apologist’s point of view and I let her know that via email this morning.

Some of you will have differing opinions than mine and so please remember this article is an opinion piece in itself – I don’t speak for Chas here.

  On a similar note:  If you are interested in following this case and trial in detail here are two very good websites for it.  First is the PennLive.com website.  This is the media outlet who has Sara Ganim, a PSU graduate BTW, who won the Pulitzer for her excellent coverage of this issue.  She’s still writing and reporting very well.

The second is a running blog by the WGAL News outlet, WGAL.com who has the most up to the minute proceedings of what is happening in the trial.  It is set up backwards so you see the earliest posts first but just click on the “Newest>” button and you be at the up to date posts.

Paul Chryst just convinced RB Corey Clement, a 5’11”, 205 lb power runner with great moves out of Glassboro, NJ  that “PITT is It” for his college career.  He carried the ball 249 times for 2,510 yards (10.1 ypc)  and 34 touchdowns last season, his JR year.  This is a big deal PITT fans and one that portends good things.  Here, take a look for yourself.  Stud RB at Work.

This is a great pick up by the Panthers in any year – a four star RB who had great offers nationally. We beat out ND, OSU, PSU, Nebraska, Wisconsin, etc…

You can just imagine the conversations Chryst had with this kid at camp this afternoon:

CC:  What about Shell and Bennett, aren’t they going to be returning starters?

PC:  Kid, look at what I did at Wisconsin.  Hell, we had Heisman trophy hopefuls at RB and still got three kids tons of carries each year.  I have one word for you; White-Clay- Ball.  That may be more than one word but get this, in 2010 they each had over 160 carries and almost all had over 1000 yards.

CC:  That’s pretty nice I guess – OK, I’m in.

PC:  Are you sure because I want you to want to be here.

CC:  Coach, I already said I would.

PC:  Just checking, because you know….

CC:  Damn, coach – back off a bit!

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The good news. Pitt basketball continues to do well off the court with the student part.

For the second consecutive year, the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball program received Public Recognition from the National Collegiate Athletic Association for ranking among the nation’s top-10 percent of all 336 men’s basketball squads based on its Academic Progress Rate. Announced by the NCAA on Thursday, the honor takes into account academic progress, graduation and retention rates over a four-year period between the 2007-08 and 2010-11 academic years.

Pitt and Notre Dame are the only two Big East men’s basketball programs ranked among the nation’s top-10 percent in APR score in each of the last two years. Over the last 11 seasons, Pitt has led the league in overall wins (295), league wins (129), NCAA Tournament appearances (10) and conference titles (six).

The Academic Progress Rate is a measure of classroom performance related to all participating NCAA Division I athletic programs. It is considered to be the NCAA’s “real-time” snapshot of academic progress, graduation and retention. Schools who fail to reach the NCAA’s minimum score can receive penalties that include loss of scholarships, public admonishment, restrictions on practice and competition and even expulsion from the NCAA.

Under the direction of four-time National Coach of the Year Jamie Dixon and Director of Academic Support Services Mike Farabaugh, the Pitt Basketball program has consistently ranked among the best Big East Conference performers in the APR. During Dixon’s nine-year tenure, over 80 percent of his men’s basketball players have graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. The Panthers have also earned a Team Academic Achievement Award for Most Improved Academic Team in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

“Graduating student-athletes will always be the No. 1 priority for our program,” Dixon said. “Once again, this is a tremendous honor for our university and a great reward for all of the hard work and dedication that our players have put into their studies.”

No worries about facing a post-season ban like UConn is having to face this year.

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Hardly.

Every April. After coaches have been fired and hired. Assistant coaches make a move. And otherwise coaches do what they can for their career and lifestyle, transfers are not far behind. Not that the two are always related. Players also transfer for personal reasons, playing time and personality conflicts.

This year, Pitt was on both ends of the player transfer. Khem Birch, left Pitt in December and ultimately transferred to UNLV. He has to sit until January, per NCAA transfer rules. Trey Zeigler has transferred to Pitt after the firing of his coach at Eastern Michigan. He was granted a waiver by the NCAA to play right away for Pitt because the aforementioned fired coach at Eastern Michigan was also his father — and that created a reason for the waiver.

The actual reason the NCAA granted the waiver is unknown. We assume that the NCAA decided (in part, with precedent) that Zeigler suffered an additional hardship because the he could have signed with high-major programs, but chose EMU to play for his father. Coupled with the awkwardness of having to play for a coach that replaced his father.

That’s part of the problem. We don’t actually know the reason since the NCAA never gives a reason to grant or deny waivers to play right away.

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Slimmed down and showing more leg in the 24th century (via i09).

In football, coaches recruit for everything. There may be priorities at certain positions. A greater need, or such. But it is a much wider net. Basketball, though, is a different thing. Only 13 scholarships available in total. Only a few spots each year. You only have so much flexibility to take the “best available” player who wants to commit.

Pitt is expected to have two or three open scholarships for next year. Travon Woodall and Dante Taylor are seniors, and assuming Steven Adams to be a one-and-done is what Coach Jamie Dixon and the staff have to expect.

Given that Talib Zanna is a junior and the only other big man on the roster is Malcolm Gilbert (sophomore) it is expected that Pitt will be focused on recruiting for the front court.

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As much as I am looking forward at the ACC and things Pitt will be wading into, there are still things happening in the Big East worth noting.

Starting with the Big East involved with another lawsuit against a (not really) former member. This time, though, the Big East filed first. They are suing TCU for $5 million.

The lawsuit also contends that TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte “publicly acknowledged TCU’s contractual obligation to compensate the Big East for its refusal to join the conference” on Oct. 11, 2011, at a news conference announcing that TCU would join the Big 12 instead.

In the lawsuit, the Big East says it has “made demand for the payment”, but that TCU has refused.

When I first saw a wire story on the lawsuit, I was confused. I didn’t know over what the Big East was suddenly suing TCU for another $5 million. The surprise is that TCU has yet to give the Big East the money. When TCU bailed on joining the Big East, TCU and the Big East acknowledged the $5 million exit fee. I think most people assumed TCU cut the check and CYA.

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Great story I’m sure most of you have already seen.  Rushel Shell is not preparing for his freshman year in a typical way.

Every day, Rushel Shell looks at his twin daughters, Arionna and Amiyah, in awe. Already three months old, the girls are getting bigger and stronger by the day. He’s even beginning to see a little of himself in them.

Children have a way of changing things. Shell said he’s changed — for the better — because of his girls.

“It made me mature a lot,” said Shell. “It took me out of my kid state, and now I feel like I’m more of an adult than a kid. Whenever I’m out and thinking of doing something or wanting to do something, it makes me think about my daughters before I do anything.

“Most of the time, it’s just making me a better person.”

Shell has had to grow up in a hurry. He’s working a construction job to make money to provide for his kids. In a couple weeks, he’ll be starting summer classes at Pitt — he said he might like to study some type of engineering — and learning how to balance the rigors of academics with the demands of football.

We’ve all known that one of the major reasons Shell was sticking with Pitt after FraudGraham was that he was going to be a father before he graduated high school. That happens in life. It’s how you act. It’s what kind of responsibility you assume that shows what kind of person you are.

Yes great things are hoped for (expected?) on the field from Shell. More importantly, Shell is showing himself to be one who makes us proud that he will be at Pitt.

Pitt added a commit, and this one is definitely one that will be a project to develop.

“Coach Rudolph is real confident in me,” Harper said. “He said he thought I could get it done. I just loved working with him.”

Harper, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, was a playmaker on defense last season for St. John’s, with 64 tackles, five pass breakups, four tackles for a loss and two interceptions.

He’s looking forward to switching positions at Pitt.

“I could have played more offense (last season), but our coach said they needed me on the field on defense,” said Harper, who’s rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com. “This season, I’ll get to play offense. I think I can do it.”

Tony Harper out of Toledo has been almost exclusively a safety but will be converted to tight end/halfback.

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At the end of last week, Florida State had a regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. Given all the rumors and everything that has been said, whispered, denied, backtracked, and so on; well, the meeting was going to get more scrutiny than usual.

And the news is not much. There is enough for both sides of the FSU and the Big 12 situation to maintain their own position. Most of the meeting is on-the-record, so for those insisting that FSU is definitely not heading to the Big 12 will point to the lack of discussions. Part of the meeting, though, was a closed-door session and it has been reported that expansiopocolypse was discussed.

A lot of credit on what follows should go to the FSU Rivals.com site, Warchant.com (which you would probably figure out based on the links). They really covered this thing. Ultimately, nothing appears any clearer. Personally, the implications coming from this meeting suggest there is little chance that FSU is going to give notice of bolting to the Big 12 this year. It doesn’t appear that all parties are going in the same direction at this point.

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