BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If the University of Cincinnati had thrown the book at its basketball program, well, that might really have hurt. UC's voluminous response to the NCAA's letter of inquiry weighs a good three pounds.
But if the NCAA's infractions committee deems UC's self-flagellation to be sufficient, though, nothing quite so painful will happen to the Bearcats.
UC LINEUP
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Here is a look at the projected lineup and full roster for the 1998-99 Bearcats:
Starters
F Pete Mickeal, 6-6, Jr.
F Jermaine Tate, 6-7, Jr.*
C Kenyon Martin, 6-8, Jr.
G Melvin Levett, 6-3, Sr.
G Michael Horton, 6-1, Sr.
Reserves
F Eugene Land, 6-7, Fr.
C Donald Little, 6-10, Fr.
C Ryan Fletcher, 6-10, Jr.
F Aaron McGhee, 6-7, So.
G Steve Logan, 5-10, Fr.
G Shawn Myrick, 6-0, Sr.
G Alvin Mitchell, 6-1, Jr.
* eligible at semester break
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In announcing the penalties it is imposing on its basketball team for admitted violations of NCAA rules, UC did not give those who wanted to see some blood flow in Clifton any cause for excitement.
The Bearcats will decline to recruit junior college players for one year, will not bring signed recruits to campus in the summer before their first year as students, will keep coach Bob Huggins off the road for 30 days of recruiting and 30 days of fundraising, and will reduce the number of official recruiting visits from 12 to nine.
There still is no determination on the status of assistant coach John Loyer, charged with unethical conduct by the NCAA. He has been on paid leave for more than a year.
Those who expected more must remember that a significant part of UC's response is a declaration the Bearcats believe themselves to be less guilty than they originally said. They rejected nearly half of the charges the school's own investigation and the NCAA's enforcement division developed.
It's also important to note there are two unspoken punishments when a school becomes involved in a case like this: the length of the time a program must be under such scrutiny, and the amount of money it must pay to defend itself -- in this case, to the Kansas-based law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King.
None of this is going to keep UC out of the NCAA Tournament or off television for this season or any season in the near future. The team Huggins has collected for 1998-99 has size, skill and depth. It also has, at least for now, a goal: the kind of tournament advancement to which Bearcats fans had been accustomed before their teams' second-round elimination the past two years. Only the infractions committee can take that away, which seems unlikely.
In a case with a lot of similarities to UC's, Arkansas imposed penalties on itself that were much the same: reduction of official visits by two; reduction of recruiting evaluations by 10 days spread among three coaches; no part-time enrollment for partial qualifiers; no junior college players for two years and reduction of one scholarship for each of two seasons. The NCAA did not toss any significant penalties on top of that pile.
Perhaps the only thing that could lead to additional punishment for UC is a perception the Bearcats have not suffered enough. They managed to survive 15 months of turmoil rather well, whereas Arkansas went through a horrendous, embarrassing season in the middle of its investigation.
The Bearcats operated during 1997-98 essentially short 1 1/2 scholarships: one that belonged to Charles Williams, who did not play, and the half belonging to Ruben Patterson, who was suspended 14 games for his involvement in violations. The basketball team also had one fewer coach on the bench than its competition.
And still the Bearcats concluded last season with a top 10 ranking and Conference USA championship. In addition, UC collected a top five recruiting class that features the junior college player of the year, Pete Mickeal, and the top player in the city, Eugene Land.
It is quite likely the Bearcats will be picked to finish a fourth consecutive season in the Associated Press Top 10. Mickeal is expected to assume the leadership role Bobby Brannen relinquished upon graduation. The Bearcats have three new players to try at power forward in Land, 6-10 Donald Little and 6-7 Ohio State transfer Jermaine Tate. They have two outstanding returning players in center Kenyon Martin and shooting guard Melvin Levett.
There are only a couple questions about the 1999 Bearcats. There is the point guard spot, where senior Michael Horton undermined his late-season improvement with a dreadful NCAA Tournament and thus left himself open to a challenge by freshman Steve Logan. And there is perimeter shooting, never a strength last season but better because of D'Juan Baker.
It may be a blessing for UC that this team will not take the floor before the August hearing the school faces in front of the infractions committee and further demonstrate the resilience Huggins celebrated in last year's team.
Perhaps the university's representatives will want to remind the committee the past two seasons ended in the tournament's second round. Just as those who think the punishments could have been worse, the past couple years could have been better.
UC gives itself soft slap on wrist Tim Sullivan column
UC hopes worst is over
Carson leaving Bearcats
NCAA Violations Reports
