Busting Brackets
Fansided

College basketball: Five consequences of FBI investigation

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Attorneyâs Office, Southern District of New York, on September 26, 2017 in New York, New York. announce charges of fraud and corruption in college basketball. The acting U.S. Attorney announced Federal criminal charges against ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Attorneyâs Office, Southern District of New York, on September 26, 2017 in New York, New York. announce charges of fraud and corruption in college basketball. The acting U.S. Attorney announced Federal criminal charges against ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company. (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts against the Boston College Eagles in the second half of the Under Armour Reunion at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts against the Boston College Eagles in the second half of the Under Armour Reunion at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Power Structure of the SEC

The Auburn Tigers are not what you would call a powerhouse team. In fact, a top half finish in the SEC is cause for a celebration. It’s why the school takes a flyer on Bruce Pearl, who was relieved of his duties at Tennessee after recruiting violations of his own.

It’s unlikely that he survives this, whether he knew of anything or not. His show-cause penalty from his previous stint makes the Tigers particularly vulnerable to a harsh punishment.

This does have an impact on the conference for the middle tier teams. While Auburn wasn’t going to challenge Kentucky for the title, they were at least a threat for an at-large bid. There are only so many teams that would get bids from a conference that usually gives five to six max and now it opens a door for another up and coming team.

Avery Johnson and Alabama are big winners here, as their basketball program has mirrored Auburn’s in terms of youth and talent. [***UPDATE***reports are that Alabama is under investigation as well]

Rick Barnes and Tennessee will also benefit. With Pearl potentially gone it takes away another potent recruiter and pushes Auburn back into the bottom of the SEC.

The strength of the SEC has always depended on how good teams 4-8 are. With Texas A&M having a bounce-back season and some of these young players becoming veterans, the conference can withstand Auburn taking a giant step back. But for these coaches, they lose a potential bid stealer as well.

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