NCAA Basketball Recruiting: 3 takeaways from early 2019 signing class

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to an official's call during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 75-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 18: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts as they take on the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

No impact from FBI Investigation and Trial

When the FBI got involved with NCAA Basketball, it felt like a near guarantee that programs would be impacted in ways that could decimate them. Several assistant coaches were tried and convicted with bribery and corruption, and evidence was presented that suggests the teams involved were aware and complicit of the illegal activity.

So how much of an impact did it have on the recruiting classes of the programs involved? Nothing at all. Three of the four top-ranked teams (USC, Arizona, and Louisville) have direct ties to the FBI Investigation while Auburn is ranked at No. 10. Even Oklahoma State who isn’t a recruiting giant by any means is in the top-25.

There are a number of reasons to explain this. Current high school may not necessarily be phased by what’s going on and the likelihood of the NCAA coming down with their own sanctions – even after completing their own investigation is still slim. Until there’s a bigger fear of repercussions from the higher-ups (NCAA), it’ll remain business as usual. And that means more attempts are cheating will occur because based on the actions of both the NCAA and future recruits – there isn’t a real price to pay.

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