@kg01 - Better to reply to your question to me here about Boeheim's press conference yesterday than mix it into the March Madness thread. Finished watching the hour press conference last night.
Short answer on my opinion is I thought Boeheim was ~90% sincere and agree, based on what I've read as well as Boeheim's explanation, that the punishment does not fit the crime. I find myself getting emotionally wrapped up in this though so I don't feel like I have good perspective.
Slight longer answer, I think Boeheim made really interesting points on the academic fraud and extra benefits. I think he shirked too much responsibility on the drug testing. All in all though, I felt he made a compelling argument that the NCAA made unfair conclusions. Two points that he made that I hadn't seen summarized until yesterday:
- Re: academic fraud, after the 10 year investigation they found one case of fraud (Fab Melo's paper). The investigation asked Boeheim if he thought it was reasonable that Melo completed a 10-page paper in 2 days to meet a deadline. Boeheim responded, why is that unreasonable when it's a paper on his life? The process of changing the grade after Melo was ineligible is a process open to all students. There were additional points made that lead me to believe this should truly be a non-issue as far as Boeheim's involvement/oversight is concerned. At least not to the point where there could be any conclusive statement that Boeheim has any amount of responsibility.
- Boeheim pretty well described his efforts to promote an atmosphere of compliance, which he stated wasn't even heard by the investigation committee. Even as you delve into what constitutes an atmosphere of compliance, per Boeheim the NCAA investigation didn't state what he should have done differently, just that he didn't promote it. Really hard to draw that conclusion based on not discussing the topic in detail with Boeheim nor offering what they think he should have done differently.
I feel a little better about this position after hearing Jay Bilas, whose opinion I respect, offer the same opinion. And truly, one of the big issues with the case is the interpretation of NCAA rules.
@RamblinRed - I agree. Appealing to the same body that handed down the punishment likely won't yield the desired results.