O.J. Mayo leaves the wrong kind of legacy at Southern Cal
In this Aug. 28, 2007, file photo, Southern California basketball player O.J. Mayo, right, speaks to reporters as coach Tim Floyd looks on during a news conference in Los Angeles. USC is imposing sanctions on its basketball program for violating NCAA rules involving Mayo.
AP photo
In a long-awaited response to allegations that O.J. Mayo received improper gifts and cash while in school, Southern Cal penalized itself Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"When we've done something wrong, we have an obligation to do something about it and that is exactly what we are doing here," Athletic Director Mike Garrett said in a statement on Sunday.
Considering that Mayo is with the Grizzlies and Tim Floyd, his coach for his one year in college, is out of coaching, the self-imposed punishment affects the present players instead of the past.
That's a tough pill to swallow, according to ConquestChronicles.com.
Yahoo sports bloggers Gerry Ahern and Jason King say the penalties were harsh - perhaps too harsh. Justified? Absolutely.
MORE COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
- Emotion and intensity are back for Michigan basketball after a big win over Ohio State, writes Michael Rothstein of AnnArbor.com.
- A Wolverines win doesn't change the season to date, but it does heighten expectations, opines Pete Bigelow at AnnArbor.com.
- Keep an eye on Michigan freshman Matt Vogrich, who thrived in limited minutes against the Buckeyes, writes Michael Rothstein.
- Tim at mgoblog.com cautions on making too big a deal about the victory, but hey, for one day it's nice to bask in the glow of victory.
- Has Tommy Amaker lost his mind? Michigan's former coach asks the question himself, according to Dan Duggan of the Boston Herald.
- Ohio State's win in the Rose Bowl is a victory for the Big Ten, writes Arash Markazi of ESPN.com.
- Which conference is the big winner in the bowl season? So far, it's the Mountain West, according to Bleacher Report.
- How the monster of college football took its toll on Florida coach Urban Meyer. Details in the New York Daily News.
- For Alabama, Nick Saban has been worth every penny, says Steve Wieberg at USA Today.
Comments
jjabilene
Tue, Jan 5, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
Meanwhile, the cheaters are either not punished at all or rewarded. The kids and fans who had nothing to do with it are punished. Mayo is making millions in the NBA and Floyd will get a million dollar job next year if he wants it. Great system.
Fresh121
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
First Reggie Bush then Oj Mayo now joe mcknight and they lose some old wins thats a nice punishment. We practice 2 much and thats a big deal maybe NCAA should look at the real issues like kids taking money cars and other things, a real punishment should be handed down to usc. Money can buy anything these days.