A must read article on OJ Mayo and USC

[Wolvie]

Ex-Mayo confidant says he gave USC star gifts...

The article by the investigative reporter:

OTL probe

Videos:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3390571&categoryId=2378529
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3390759&categoryId=2378529
And here's Pat Forde's comment:

ESPN - USC, Tim Floyd have no excuse for turning a blind eye - Columnist

All I can say is, "DUH!" That, and "It's about time someone blew that whistle."

The NCAA needs a fix, 'cause it's goin' down...

And I'm not going to pile onto USC here, because as far as cheating in college sports goes, it's not all-or-none but more of a matter of degrees, but as I follow this story around the internets, the one thing Trojan fans seem to cling to is that USC didn't know, so they can't be held responsible. To which I found this elegant response:

The NCAA and USC have had problems with Guillory in the past. In 2000, Trojans guard Jeff Trepagnier was one of two college players suspended by the NCAA, in part because of benefits Guillory supplied when he was working as a runner for a Las Vegas sports agency. Former Fresno State guard Tito Maddox -- the other player suspended -- told "Outside the Lines" that Guillory provided him with plane tickets, money and other benefits, and that Guillory "finds kids and sends them to agents he's dealing with."

[SuxBeingU]

USC and Mayo are guilty !! I say that as alife long USC fan. Its bigger than USC its in all major college programs and most small ones.
Whats the answer ?
do you penalize the program, every program or the agents as well ?

[Mr. Irreverent]

These athletes can't say no to perks, this rule is STUPID. The world always to caters to talented people regardless of race, age or sex and nothing will ever change that. What is the purpose of this crap anyways?

[Dr. Naysay]

What exactly is the argument for denying college athletes from having agents and getting paid?

[Joe Hoya]

You mean the top programs wouldn't touch this kid for a reason?

I'm shocked!

[Joe Hoya]

Originally Posted by Dr. Naysay

What exactly is the argument for denying college athletes from having agents and getting paid?

And to touch on this, the argument is weakening because of the stupid NBA one-year rule. Baseball and hockey players are allowed to sign big-money deals after high school, yet basketball players can't?

I completely understand the NCAA not allowing players to accept money because they are amateur athletes and it makes a complete mockery of higher education. That said, the rule just makes the problem worse. The reality is you have a lot of poor kids who need the money.

I would like to see it be more similar to baseball, where if you're ready to go after HS you can, but if not you can decide to commit to college for three years before turning pro.

[Wolvie]

Per Tracy Pierson, following a report by Scott Wolf that Guillory offered Mayo to UCLA first:

Originally Posted by Scout.com

This is what I know.

Guillory came to UCLA first.

UCLA then looked into the Mayo situation. One source of information they consulted was the Loves.

I don't know specifically what the Loves told the coaching staff, but I do know that, once UCLA had done its due dilligence and knew about Mayo, they chose to stay away.

From what I gathered, like many other sources, the Loves told UCLA to stay away from Mayo because of the potential issues.

[Mr. Irreverent]

Originally Posted by Wolvie

Per Tracy Pierson, following a report by Scott Wolf that Guillory offered Mayo to UCLA first:

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[Wolvie]

Love's greatest legacy at UCLA might be telling Howland to hold the Mayo.