How Washington Basketball may benefit from FBI probe of USC

As the Washington Basketball team braces for a new start, other programs brace for a different sort of NCAA basketball chapter. The FBI has named USC as one of four schools in their investigation. This could benefit the Huskies basketball program

The Washington Basketball team is preparing for a new season. But there are other preparations underway in NCAA basketball. Tony Bland of USC has been named as one of ten men indicted in the investigation of NCAA basketball programs. Charges of bribery link Bland, and nine other individuals, to the smoke-filled backroom scheme of circumventing college rules by hiding payouts, bribes and kickbacks in the recruitment of numerous top prospects over the past three years.

There is no report confirming just what has been shared with the NCAA and it’s respective collegiate conferences. But the news of the indictments prepares the NCAA to take action if any allegations prove to be true.

Investigation is underway

This is just the first step in what will be a long investigation.  But the impact is already felt within and among Pac-12 schools.  Pac-12 commissioner has released the following statement in response to news of the FBI report.

This investigation is by no means a criminal conviction. But there is little doubt as to the confidence of the FBI in making these arrests. The Wall Street Journal described the events as

"“wide-ranging investigation into alleged bribery and kickback schemes at several of the country’s top-tier college basketball programs.”"

You can get the full indictment against Tony Bland here.

Recruiting is a tough business

NCAA recruiting is a tough business. Top programs compete constantly for the commitments of the nation’s top athletes. And with so many chasing so few, there is always the temptation to bend rules and play with an edge.

If the FBI accusations hold true, some have been caught doing so.

While this investigation will take months to conclude, and will likely lead to more indictments as witnesses cooperate for leaner sentencing, it will certainly benefit programs who have followed the rules. Washington Basketball has felt the sting of losing top recruits to USC recently, including  guard Kevin Porter and forward J’Raan Brooks, both out of Seattle, Washington.

It can only be conjecture at this point to link specific recruits to this investigation. But there is a shroud of doubt over all recruiting performed by the schools involved in the investigation.

Next: Can Coach Hopkins recruit Bryan Penn-Johnson to Washington Basketball team?

Head coach Mike Hopkins found recruiting tough going at first, but he has recovered nicely.  Most recently, he earned a verbal commitment of point guard Elijah Hardy for the class of 2018. Basketball season will arrive soon enough.  With new head coach Mike Hopkins, this season is bound to be exciting.