Forward Ruben Patterson's relationship with player agent Tim McGee has become the focus of Patterson's appeal to be reinstated to the University of Cincinnati basketball team, angering the former Bengals wide receiver.
The NCAA sent a list of questions to UC on Monday about Patterson and McGee, who grew up in the same Cleveland neighborhood and have been close since Patterson was in grade school.
McGee said he answered seven questions, five of which didn't pertain to Patterson, and is upset that no decision has been reached about Patterson's eligibility.
''If his career depends on my relationship with him, then he'll be playing in the next game,'' McGee said Tuesday. ''That's how confident I am.''
The Bearcats play their third regular-season game Sunday against Morehead State. Because the eligibility officer who was working Patterson's case is not working today and the NCAA offices are closed the rest of the week for the Thanksgiving holiday, it's expected a decision could not come before Monday.
''I'm presuming he was going to sit Sunday, anyhow,'' said UC Athletic Director Bob Goin. ''That doesn't mean that's all he'll get.''
McGee is rankled a decision is being delayed by the holiday.
''Isn't that ridiculous?'' McGee asked. ''We've been working on this stuff for three weeks. I've got nothing to hide. I've given them personal information I know I didn't have to give. There should have been a ruling. He shouldn't have missed two games because of them asking more and more information. At some point it has to stop.''
Patterson was declared ineligible Oct. 16 after UC reported to the NCAA that he had spent a month in a dormitory room in the summer of 1996 without performing all the job duties that were to cover his room and board. Patterson also was mentioned in the report as having received tutoring before his enrollment and used computers in the basketball offices while taking classes at Cincinnati State.
The appeal for the restoration of his eligibility was delayed, however, when it was learned Patterson had spent time in a condominium belonging to his summer employer, Bobby Carter, and had Carter co-sign his automobile loan.
UC filed a 50-page report to the NCAA Nov. 6 to request Patterson's reinstatement. This was the second time since that the NCAA requested additional information.
McGee said Monday's main question appeared to be his relationship with Steve Zucker, the high-powered NFL agent from Chicago who represented McGee in his playing days. McGee works with Zucker, and they represent Bengals defensive end John Copeland.
McGee said he told investigators Zucker does not know Patterson, has never met him, has never talked to him, and that Zucker didn't pay McGee to recruit Patterson.
''I've never worked for Steve,'' McGee said. ''We have worked together as co-agents.''
McGee said he has gone as far to order his accountant to produce checks he used to buy Patterson sneakers and basketball uniforms when Patterson was in high school. He has also told the NFL Players Association to give all his data to investigators.
''I don't know him as 'Ruben.' I know him as 'Boo,' '' McGee said. ''It's funny how for the last 10 years, Ruben has been my cousin. Now I'm his cousin. He comes over to my house, and he's going to come to my house (tonight) for dinner. And he'll keep coming to my house. I won't back down from that.''
McGee said he may have drawn interest from investigators in recent days because he has helped Patterson's family during the investigation. McGee delivered the restitution check for the down payment of Patterson's car to the UC compliance office.
McGee said he hasn't given Patterson anything since he has been at UC. Before Patterson enrolled, McGee said he called the UC compliance office to go over what he could and couldn't do once Patterson arrived. ''Two people made a mistake, Ruben and Bobby Carter,'' McGee said. ''But to drag other people into it like myself, Steve Zucker, Ruben's girlfriend, it's not right.''
Goin said he is comfortable with the information UC provided the NCAA. He said he believes Patterson and McGee have an established relationship and also points out McGee has never signed a basketball player for his agency business. McGee and Zucker are not certified NBA agents.
McGee and Patterson are close enough they have been routinely described as ''cousins,'' although Goin said UC is convinced there is no blood relationship between the two.
''I don't feel like I have to prove who my relatives are,'' McGee said.
Patterson is UC's leading returning scorer and rebounder and was a preseason all-conference selection by Conference USA coaches. He scored 35 points in the Bearcats' first exhibition but watched from the bench as UC lost at home Friday night to Arizona State in the second round of the NIT.
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