Analyzing LSU Basketball non-conference schedule and their pending off-court troubles

LSU Basketball made headlines twice on Aug. 13. The news was both good and bad.

LSU Basketball released its non-conference basketball schedule on Friday. It was also revealed, yesterday, that the NCAA investigation into recruiting improprieties by the Tigers’ basketball involves “at least 13 prospective athletes and a projected 75 individuals who may have knowledge of, and/or involvement in, the alleged violations,” according to a December letter from external investigator Nicole Lamb-Hale and LSU compliance director Bo Bahnsen.

The NCAA opened an investigation on coach Will Wade in 2018 after After Yahoo Sports published excerpts from a conversation wiretapped by the FBI between Wade and now-convicted middleman Christian Dawkins, in which Wade described a “strong-ass offer” to a recruit.  Wade forfeited $250,000 in incentives in 2018-19, and he could be fired for cause if the school receives notice of allegations for either a Level 1 or Level 2 violation.

"“My expectation is that our athletic director (Scott Woodward) would — if something is contractually laid out — that he would execute the contract,”"

LSU president William F. Tate IV said during a meeting with The Advocate’s editorial board Thursday.

The investigation into men’s basketball has continued under the complex case unit. According to letters from external investigators dated between November 2020 and May 2021, the complex case unit asked for more documents to help decide if violations occurred within the program.

Those included more material from Wade’s cell phones, records and devices from associate head coach Bill Armstrong and director of basketball operations Nelson Hernandez, the recruiting file for a player whose name was redacted from the documents, and the passenger manifest for everyone who traveled with the team to away games since 2017.

Once the NCAA issues its notice of allegations, involved parties will have a chance to respond and submit information for the hearing.

While Wade has done a fantastic job at each of his three stops, the school likely wants to be able to be off the hook for the remainder of his $ salary — which is why they added the “fired for just cause,” it is likely in the best interest of the Bayou Bengals to end the relationship right now and see if they can recoup money once the saga is finally completed. Wade is 86-42 in his four seasons in Baton Rouge, leading the Tigers to one regular-season SEC crown and two NCAA Tournament appearances.