ACC Commissioner John Swofford yesterday at the conference's basketball media day in Charlotte spent the "bulk of his opening remarks ... talking about the FBI's probe into college basketball recruiting," according to Mike Waters of the Syracuse POST-STANDARD. Swofford said, "The individuals involved need to be held accountable. This is a serious situation where college athletics shouldn't be." He added, "This is going to have to play itself out before we really know. I do believe a lot of people, most people in this profession are doing things the right way. ... Every indication I'm getting from a lot of conversations I've had ... is that it's probably not rampant. But obviously it's a problem." Swofford said that he had "formed a task force that will offer suggestions to the commission" recently put together by NCAA President Mark Emmert. The ACC task force "will be chaired" by outgoing Virginia AD Craig Littlepage (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 10/26). The AP's Peter Iacobelli wrote another ACC basketball media day came with another "scandal casting a shadow over the gathering." It has been that way since the league's "most recent expansions." The ACC has found itself "squarely in the middle of some embarrassing scandals." Swofford "isn't happy about the black eye Louisville has given the league, but doesn't regret inviting the Cardinals to join the conference." Swofford: "Not pleased about recent events. But it was the right decision at the time and can be the right decision in the long term" (AP, 10/25).
TAKING A BACK SEAT: In Raleigh, Luke DeCock writes the prevailing atmosphere at media day "was not one of self-congratulation but soul-searching." Perhaps "less concerning but just as foreboding" is this may be the season in the ACC where "basketball takes a back seat to football, even if just temporarily." Football is "more important to the ACC than it has ever been before," as it is "driving the launch of the ACC Network" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/26). In Pittsburgh, Craig Meyer writes rather abruptly, Swofford "now sits atop a league shrouded in controversy." Swofford said, "I'm not for throwing out the collegiate model by any stretch of the imagination, but I am for modernizing it to live in today's world in a way that makes sense" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/26). In DC, Gene Wang notes Swofford "delivered pointed remarks about the state of the sport with regard to those individuals the federal investigation has linked to corruption" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/26).
COACH'S CORNER: In Greensboro, Ed Hardin notes the coaches in the ACC yesterday came to a conclusion that despite the alleged corruption, the "game is great" and to be "careful you don't fix something that's not broken." Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said, "The game is in pretty good shape. Just like anything, there’s a chance that something wrong is happening. I don’t think this is a bad time. I think it could be one of the most productive times in our history." Krzyzewski said alleged corruption in the league is "not rampant." Wake Forest coach Danny Manning: "Our game is at a good place. It creates a lot of energy, it creates a lot of atmosphere, it’s fun." Meanwhile, Swofford suggested "taking a long look at the one-and-done model." He said, "Getting rid of one-and-done is better than having it" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 10/26). Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said that he would "like to see shoe companies become less involved with AAU basketball." Brey: "If shoe companies are still going to be heavily involved with grassroots (basketball), it’s going to be a problem. Are they going to back off a little bit, given they’re getting into some stuff here with the FBI? In that vacuum, would they maybe work with us with combines and clinics sponsored by the NCAA, USA Basketball and the (National Association of Basketball Coaches)?" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 10/26).
