NCAA is Fresno's biggest concern
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist
Fresno State's Ray Lopes was professing a coach's concern yesterday about the games that loom ahead for his team, which clings to a precarious 1 1/2-game lead in the Western Athletic Conference basketball standings.
In a conference call with the media, Lopes did a little worrying out loud about the challenges confronting the surprising Bulldogs in their run at the title.
But it isn't the teams nipping at their heels in the WAC, where four schools are within four games of the lead, that the Bulldogs ultimately have the most to be concerned about.
In the bigger picture, Nevada, Southern Methodist and even Hawai'i are but short-term annoyances for Fresno State these days. Jet lag is the least of its problems.
The deeper, darker worry should be the NCAA.
Amid the wonder of what Lopes, the rookie head coach, and his team have so-far accomplished in a season where the Bulldogs (17-4, 10-2 WAC) were supposed to be rebuilding also-rans, the program's turbulent past is about to rudely intrude.
It isn't enough that the NCAA is expected to impose sanctions by the end of next month on the numerous rules violations, including payments from agents to players, that FSU has already owned up to.
Now, a report in the Fresno Bee alleges academic fraud in which at least 17 papers were written for three men's basketball players in 2000. In addition, the Bee says a Las Vegas-based agent funneled nearly $1,500 through an academic adviser to pay for the work.
The Bulldogs thought they were looking at two years' probation and the loss of three scholarships on the first round of violations — the terms of their self-administered sanctions announced in December. As grim as that scenario looked to be, it could be just the beginning if the latest revelations hold up.
For if there is one thing the NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions has shown no hesitancy in dropping the hammer on, it is academic fraud. Among the phone book-thick manual of rules, these are the biggest no-nos. Witness the four-year probation and accompanying loss of five scholarships leveled on Minnesota in 1999.
That the Bulldogs are up to their chins in NCAA trouble does not come as much of a surprise, except, perhaps, to former coach Jerry Tarkanian who professes shock and amazement.
For years fans around the WAC have delighted in ragging on Fresno State for its outlaw image. But when — apparently not if — the NCAA lowers the boom, it will not be cause for rejoicing among the membership. Not in a conference that needs every able, non-probationary member it can muster.
In the meantime, however stiff the challenges of this WAC race, the Bulldogs should enjoy them because it might be the last one they're in for a while.
