My guess is Duke is in the same category as other schools that recruit top players, inluding Kentucky. No doubt the head coach is left out of the loop as much as possible, but I don't think K is stupid.
Whether players get paid or not makes little difference to me. I'd just like to see the pretence stopped.
Agree on your last sentence, but I fall short of condemning all coaches as being on the level of corruption and selfishness. No, I do not put the K on the same level as Cal (not talking about current status of their programs, as your statement is fair, although we're all ignorant of the true situations). Cal is a proven cheat at Mass and Memphis, and has clearly shown a disregard for academics. You can defend him if you would like, but likely any defense of Cal you may have has already been made. I disagree with them.
But yes, the pretense needs to stop, not just in college sports in general.
So, even if the FBI shuts duke down, k is innocent!
Hilarious.
That is definitely not what the intent of my messages is, and like most people, I think you're reading with anti-Duke glasses on. I wouldn't be surprised if Duke is in the FBI scandal, especially considering the recruiting success as of late. Nobody in Duke fan seriously thought Zion Williamson was going to commit, but here we are. Consider also the sudden turn around in getting bigs to commit, and the timing of recruiting success with Capel's hire....I'd like to think it's just successful recruiting - the tradition and track record of coaches and former players persuading kids to commit. But.... ....I wouldn't be shocked.
My K defense is in response to messages about him - there is nothing in his track record that screams cheating, and including Buffnik's comment about how he turned the Duke program around. Duke was struggling a little, but it still was a nationally respected program. They were runner-ups in 64 and 78, made the semifinals a few times more, etc. K surpassed all of that success many times over, but to say he was likely cheating when he took over I think is misguided. Two coaches I admire greatly are K and Izzo. If K is found to have been deeply involved in paying players and circumventing academics, then yes, his image will be tarnished and he should be punished. The good he has done will be diminished in the eye of the beholder. I was/am hit hard by the Nassar trials, and if Izzo overtly covered up sexual assault, then yes, his image and he should be punished. Sexual assault is a lot worse to me than cheating the NCAA, so it's not truly apples to apples. But, Izzo's reputation and good he's done will be diminished accordingly in the eyes of the beholder.
It's tough though in my opinion to argue that K and Izzo have done great things on and off the court, and seem to have a genuine interest in their players' success. We unfortunately cannot say the same for all coaches, but I'm glad it seems Tad fits that category.
