re: 2017-18 Alabama Basketball Season Thread: 20-16 (10-11)

The #FreeJang thread. You were slapping Ross around pretty good

What’s Bruce’s status? Is he cooperating now or is he still in a pissing contest with the administration?

quote:

---

What’s Bruce’s status?

---

Currently projected to be starting head coach vs UConn Saturday

quote:

---

Is he cooperating now

---

The cooperation story was a bit misleading. Bruce agreed to cooperate... to an extent (and seemingly within his rights)
A) full cooperation after FBI Person case
B) Interviewing filtered questions w/ a lawyer under "Garrity Rights Protection"

I can explain why if you want, but the NCAA/FBI both were 100% supportive of Bruce's two suggested levels of cooperation.

quote:

---

still in a pissing contest with the administration?

---

TL;DR Short answer: Bruce & Admin are now on amicable terms and both sides have made concessions. Bruce isn't off the hook, but pending new condemning information he is safe.

Long Story: I got some pretty decent sources on this. The general points appear to be right

The new AU President Steven Leath's first 6 months have been plagued by multiple, publicly embarrassing athletic scandals. These scandals hit quite a range of topics from inappropriate behavior, equal opportunity + major NCAA rules violations that involved AU sports legends.

Steven Leath took an "if you aren't 100% with us, you are part of the problem" stance. BBall people intepreted this as a "kangaroo court out to clean house" that ignored concerns about FBI criminal liability. So Bruce, by only offering the above options, was viewed as a betrayal, sign of guilt, firable offense for not cooperating. Keep in mind Bruce's defense appears to have a pretty sound legal framework (=buyout) + NCAA backed Bruce. AU legal counsel disagrees w/ the Garrity rights claim, but it would be a legal nightmare, publicly embarrassing to enforce


The leaked negative press ("refusal to cooperate" + suspension details of bball staffers) appears to come from inside the AU Administration. My guess is they were trying to generate pressure on Bruce to cooperate + support from AU fans to fire him

Instead, the Auburn fanbase rallied to Bruce believing that he wasn't getting a fair shake. AU admin seemed to forget that Auburn fans are conspiracy theorists and this potentially involved AU Pres, AU Legal counsel + Jimmy "YellaFella" Rane all scapegoating a beloved AU bball coach.

In addition to the normal calling/tweeting/emails, someone (i.e. arguably AU's biggest bball donor) posted Steven Leath's personal email address. From that email, Steven Leath responded in an "unpresidential" way which was unbecoming of the public leader of the university. As a result, some counter pressure criticizing Stephen Leath's start as AU President, personal behavior + past problems at ISU made Leath realize this bball situation can cost him his job too.



I think both sides realized that making concessions was in their mutual interest or they both could get fired. Bruce Pearl has publicly supported Leath the entire time + claims he is getting a fair shake while AU admin seems to have settled down.

@DavidKnight81 on twitter

Ok @AlabamaHoops, 14,584 tickets sold as of right now for the Vulcan Classic tomorrow night. 2,156 seats left to go. WE NEED A SELLOUT! @CoachAvery6 @BryanPassink @CStewartSports @KnightEady

If only Nick King would have stayed. Averaging 23 PPG for a currently projected at-large bid team.

Speaking of tournament projections. After the Texas A&M game, Alabama will have played 5 straight and 8 total (out of 13 games) projected tournament teams. That's doesn't include BYU or UCF who both have a very solid chance of making the tournament. That means only 3 of the teams we've played, Memphis, Alabama A&M, and LA Tech (and they aren't completely out yet), are the only teams solidly out of the tournament picture as of today. That's an insane schedule to start the season with, especially with a team led by freshmen.

Alright, my score prediction:

Bama 76
Horns 71

I don't predict scores of Bama games because I'm scared I'll jinx em. No football or basketball. I have bad luck

I usually dont either but the 2 games I decided not to do it (Minn. And UCF) we lost so now I feel obligated.

Oklahoma is quite good

Trae Young is insane! I’m so excited that they come to Tuscaloosa next month. Coleman will be sold out for sure that game.