The Latest on Kanter...

Nothing "hot off the press" to share, I have a little insight that is a few weeks old but not news I've seen publicly put out there on the main stream. I was hoping to hear a public announcement of the NCAA decision by now and would make this post moot.

NCAA has given Turkey a deadline on when to provide a certain level of proof that would make Kanter ineligible. When that deadline is or if it has already passed is the million dollar question. I have no idea on the date. Turkey has for quite awhile stated "they are done" with the NCAA and then leaks out information to the media afterwards. They haven't exactly been the easiest to deal with in this situation.

Many of the NCAA members have been fed up with Turkey and their shady style of trying to make their players ineligible at a young age. They are tired of seeing them caring about their pocket books over what is best for the players. The players are just doing what everyone else is doing in their country, unaware they are jeopardizing their future options.

Some people are worried Turkey is intentionally holding out the "smoking gun" until the season is over and then turns around and hands the NCAA the evidence. Then the NCAA is forced to rule Kanter ineligible and we have to forfeit the season...

My understanding is this is why the NCAA and UK are making certain that if Kanter is cleared, he is cleared for good. NCAA seems to be taking the mindset, if Turkey does not provide the evidence by the deadline, then they don't care what they provide afterwards.

This mindset is what the NCAA has to do. If they don't, then European leagues will intentionally try to stick it to the NCAA programs whenever they can after the season. This will in return, make NCAA teams avoid Euro top talent, in fear of what might come out later. This in turn, will allow Euro leagues to keep their top talent until they are ready to go through the draft. Once they go through the draft directly from their league they take a big cut of the profits. They get zip if the player comes to NCAA first.

This is all about money for the Euro leagues and this is all about avoiding future issues for the NCAA. This is not a simple process of just clearing one player, which seems to be what many UK fans are forgetting or not realizing. Kanter is expected to be the beginning of a wave of top talent coming out of Europe. NCAA is making sure they have the roads paved before opening it up to traffic. Of course we have had Euro players in the NCAA before but not players the Euro league have done everything they can to keep to themselves. They want to keep the top talent who will bring them money via the draft.

The only end result of this that would surprise me, is if Kanter is ruled ineligible for the whole season. I could even see this drawn out until after the start of season or announced as soon as I post this.

As long as Kanter is back for SEC play I will be happy with the decision but it's time to get this over with. Turkey has had plenty of time to make their case. Of course what will we talk about? Well there is always making fun of little brother! Go Cats!