More on John Wall's eligibility

As we mentioned yesterday in our original post, the latest expert weighing in on John Wall's eligibility has "sources" telling him that Wall will probably not miss any time.

From Jeff Goodman:

Sources close to the situation have told FOXSports.com that Wall will likely be cleared prior to Kentucky's season-opener – which is on Nov. 13 against Morehead State at Rupp Arena.

So, as would be the case with any reported violation by a big-name recruit, the news breaks and the initial reaction is catastrophic.

John Wall has been practicing with the Kentucky Wildcats.
(photo credit: Washington Post)

Will Wall's season be over?

How does this effect Kentucky's title chances?

Oh, the humanity!!

But once every had a chance to catch their breath, take a step back, and look at the facts, the whole situation seems fairly innocuous. For starters, it has been known that Brian Clifton was an agent for at least a year. Not only was he a non-factor in that industry (he has been quoted as saying he never even signed a client), but John Wall was a very high-profile recruit. Given the how closely the recruiting process of kids as talented as Wall is followed by fan bases and NCAA officials alike, I find it extremely unlikely that Clifton would be funneling Wall "substantial amounts" of money when he was the point man for Wall's recruitment.

Did he buy him a burger during an AAU trip?

Probably.

Did he help out with rides to and from recruiting trips and basketball games?

I don't doubt it.

But that is completely different than, say, Ronald Guillory giving thousands of dollars to OJ Mayo when Mayo was a high school star, with the understanding that Mayo would sign with Bill Duffy when he went pro.

If Wall does get a suspension, it will be a result of the NCAA making an example out of him - under no circumstances should you be associating with certified agents when you are an amateur. I would personally disagree with any suspension, but to be honest, I don't think that Wall has much of an argument if he does get suspended.

There are two other issues that I have yet to touch on:

1. When I first posted this and spoke about it with friends, the first reaction everyone had was "oh, they'll get away with it because its Calipari." Explain to me how Calipari has anything to do with a relationship a recruit has with his AAU coach and adviser, especially when you consider the rumors that Clifton did not want Wall to play for Cal.
   
   I'll wait.
   
   Look, I think Calipari is a great coach. His dribble-drive motion is great offense, he is a fantastic recruiter, and he is probably the best motivator in the sport. That said, I think even the most die-hard Kentucky fans will admit that Coach Cal is not squeaky clean. Simply put, it is not a coincidence that he has had two Final Fours wiped from the record books. But putting the blame on Calipari for this situation is unfair.


2. What if Calipari was still at Memphis?
   
   Most recruiting pundits assumed that Wall was going to go to Memphis before Coach Cal left. With the whole Derrick-Rose-wasn't-actually-eligible debacle there this summer, would the Tigers administration have taken another chance on a recruit with questionable eligibility so soon?