So a couple of things.
First off, in light of some of the other recent, and probably pending rulings, this is absurd. There is just no justification for the post season ban, and it's 100% done just as a posturing maneuver by the NCAA. I usually ridicule those that jump to the "suing everyone" solution online but I think GT needs to at least look into considering legal action if the ban is upheld.
Second, I wonder if we appeal would the post season ban be halted while the appeal is going on. I assume that it would have to be so it's possible that the ban won't affect this season. Now whether it is better to have it now or next year is a different question but it was a thought.
As far as Pastner goes, I am still going with the idea that since he was cleared by our own investigation and the report said he did not have "head coaching responsibilities" in the violations that firing him for cause is still not likely. To be fair, I could be completely wrong and there could be things in his contract but I doubt it's an open and close case and I'm not sure that's the hill we need to be dying on right now. In that case I don't think it really changes much for Pastner. I think he needed to make the NCAAT in year 5 and have a good looking class coming in to go along with it. This will make it harder for him to accomplish that but if he does it's probably not worth blowing it up in that situation.
I don't hang out on the basketball side because we've been just plain awful for a decade now. What reason should a casual fan have to think we're any better?
We have the best guard situation we've had in a decade with Jose, Mike, and Bubba gaining eligibility, with a couple of other solid looking backup types to steal some minutes. We also have decent options at most other spots with no real glaring weaknesses like in year's past. The biggest weakness looks to be back up center, but that being our biggest weakness means we were poised to have a better year.
