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LEXINGTON — The biggest story in college sports Wednesday was the bombshell that former Alabama basketball center Charles Bediako is now current Alabama basketball center Charles Bediako.
After being granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday, Bediako now is eligible to play for the Crimson Tide this season despite the NCAA denying his request.
So, following Kentucky basketball's 85-80 victory over Texas on Wednesday, coach Mark Pope closed his news conference by speaking out against the ruling.
Here are Pope's thoughts on the matter, in full.
"Just so you get our word here on what's happening in the NCAA right now with eligibility, we're all shaking our (heads), being like, 'This is so incredibly creative.' I'll give you my two cents, just so you have it. At some point — I don't have hard feelings toward anybody making any decision, because every single college program and college coach are the most competitive people in the world. They're going to try and find any avenue they can to find an advantage. It's what we're paid to do. It's what we do.
"The one stopgap that is kind of spreading right now that maybe has some legs — as kind of a last stand — is the NCAA does get to decide who gets to go to the NCAA Tournament. Like, they get to decide that. They have that power. And so, at some point, when they've been very, very clear about what the rules that they're going to try and enforce — they might lose in court, but they still get to decide what games count toward the NCAA Tournament.
"And I'm not saying that to penalize any team. I'm just saying that because at some point, it is important that we take a stand and regain some tiny ounce of sanity. And until someone tells me different, I still believe the NCAA has full power over who gets in the NCAA Tournament and what games they count toward your NCAA Tournament bid. And at the end of the day, that is what drives all of us.
"So, hopefully, we'll take a stand there and clean this up for everybody — for everybody. Because right now, everybody is chasing their tails, and I think this is the place where you take a stand. I hope we will. This game matters too much. The NCAA Tournament is too extraordinary a deal. These high school players and these young players and all these players matter too much. College basketball matters too much. It's just time to take a stand, bring a little bit of sanity to this deal, say it publicly, and let's move forward."
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope criticizes Charles Bediako ruling
Continue reading...
After being granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday, Bediako now is eligible to play for the Crimson Tide this season despite the NCAA denying his request.
So, following Kentucky basketball's 85-80 victory over Texas on Wednesday, coach Mark Pope closed his news conference by speaking out against the ruling.
Here are Pope's thoughts on the matter, in full.
"Just so you get our word here on what's happening in the NCAA right now with eligibility, we're all shaking our (heads), being like, 'This is so incredibly creative.' I'll give you my two cents, just so you have it. At some point — I don't have hard feelings toward anybody making any decision, because every single college program and college coach are the most competitive people in the world. They're going to try and find any avenue they can to find an advantage. It's what we're paid to do. It's what we do.
"The one stopgap that is kind of spreading right now that maybe has some legs — as kind of a last stand — is the NCAA does get to decide who gets to go to the NCAA Tournament. Like, they get to decide that. They have that power. And so, at some point, when they've been very, very clear about what the rules that they're going to try and enforce — they might lose in court, but they still get to decide what games count toward the NCAA Tournament.
"And I'm not saying that to penalize any team. I'm just saying that because at some point, it is important that we take a stand and regain some tiny ounce of sanity. And until someone tells me different, I still believe the NCAA has full power over who gets in the NCAA Tournament and what games they count toward your NCAA Tournament bid. And at the end of the day, that is what drives all of us.
"So, hopefully, we'll take a stand there and clean this up for everybody — for everybody. Because right now, everybody is chasing their tails, and I think this is the place where you take a stand. I hope we will. This game matters too much. The NCAA Tournament is too extraordinary a deal. These high school players and these young players and all these players matter too much. College basketball matters too much. It's just time to take a stand, bring a little bit of sanity to this deal, say it publicly, and let's move forward."
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope criticizes Charles Bediako ruling
Continue reading...
