What is "Show Cause"?

Definition: The "Show Cause" penalty is perhaps the harshest in the NCAA's arsenal, as it essentially prevents a person from working in college basketball.

A show cause penalty -- usually with set duration -- may be handed down for a variety of reasons, but is most often used for coaches who commit NCAA violations relating to recruiting. For example, ex-Indiana coach was hit with a five-year show cause penalty stemming from improper phone calls made to recruits, and Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien faced the same penalty after making an under-the-table payment to a recruit.

Any school wishing to hire a coach under a "show cause" designation must appear before the NCAA infractions committee and potentially face new sanctions. No Division I athletic director has ever taken that step. As such, "show cause" usually amounts to a total ban from working at the college level for the duration of the penalty.

For example, California coach Todd Bozeman was hit with an eight-year show cause penalty stemming from improper payments made to the family of one of his players. Ten years elapsed before Bozeman was able to find a job at the college level -- he's currently the head coach at Morgan State.

Examples:

The NCAA hit ex-Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson with a five-year show cause penalty, while Sampson assistant Rob Senderoff received a three-year penalty.

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What is "Show Cause"?

Definition: The "Show Cause" penalty is perhaps the harshest in the NCAA's arsenal, as it essentially prevents a person from working in college basketball.

A show cause penalty -- usually with set duration -- may be handed down for a variety of reasons, but is most often used for coaches who commit NCAA violations relating to recruiting. For example, ex-Indiana coach was hit with a five-year show cause penalty stemming from improper phone calls made to recruits, and Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien faced the same penalty after making an under-the-table payment to a recruit.

Any school wishing to hire a coach under a "show cause" designation must appear before the NCAA infractions committee and potentially face new sanctions. No Division I athletic director has ever taken that step. As such, "show cause" usually amounts to a total ban from working at the college level for the duration of the penalty.

For example, California coach Todd Bozeman was hit with an eight-year show cause penalty stemming from improper payments made to the family of one of his players. Ten years elapsed before Bozeman was able to find a job at the college level -- he's currently the head coach at Morgan State.

Examples:

The NCAA hit ex-Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson with a five-year show cause penalty, while Sampson assistant Rob Senderoff received a three-year penalty.

View the original article here

2012 Final Four Tickets

Jun 3 2011

Want to attend the 2012 Final Four in New Orleans? Best start planning now. You'll need to submit an application to the NCAA's online ticket lottery before May 31, 2011.

Tickets are sold in "books" that include admission to both Final Four games on March 31, 2011 and the National Championship game on April 2. All games will be played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Prices range from $170 to $210 per book - very reasonable, considering you're getting three of the biggest games of the year. You can apply to buy up to four books.

Winners will be notified in August, 2011, and ticket books distributed by mail in February 2012.

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Winningest Women's Coaches

Bob Knight retired from coaching with 902 wins -- the most by any men's Division I basketball coach in history. He'd need at least three -- possibly four -- more runs to the Final Four to catch Pat Summitt's win total -- and Summitt is still going strong. Here's a look at the biggest winners in women's college basketball history.

1. Pat Summitt - 1000 (active)

Getty Images / Al Messerschmidt

On February 5th, 2009, Pat Summitt became the first college basketball coach in Division I -- men's or women's -- to boast 1000 career victories. Her next target may be championships -- with eight, she's just two behind legendary UCLA coach John Wooden.

ESPN.com: Summitt Wins 1000

2. Jody Conradt - 900

Jody Conradt's career spanned 38 seasons -- 31 one of them as head coach at Texas. Her record in Austin was 783–245, and included an undefeated team that won the national championship in 1986. She retired in 2007.

3. C. Vivian Stringer - 815 (active)

To the casual fan, C. Vivian Stringer is probably best known as one of the protagonists in the controversy of Don Imus' unfortunate remarks and eventual firing. That's a shame, because she's one of the top coaches in the history of the women's game, racking up over 800 wins in stints at Cheyney, Iowa, and Rutgers.

4. Sylvia Hatchell - 801 (active)

Hatchell is the only women's basketball coach to win championships at the AIAW (small college), NAIA and NCAA Division I levels. She won the 1994 NCAA title as coach of the Tar Heels -- and her Carolina team is a threat to win another championship in 2009.

5. Tara VanDerveer - 739 (active)

The coach of the reigning champions, VanDerveer has won three NCAA titles (1990, 1992, 2008) during her tenure at Stanford.

6. Kay Yow - 737

Kay Yow is one of the most successful coaches in the history of women's college basketball, with over 700 career wins and a gold medal from the 1988 Seoul Olympics on her resume. But her contributions to society went far beyond the basketball court -- diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, Yow became a major force in fundraising efforts, and served on the board of the V Foundation. She passed away on January 24, 2009 at the age of 66.

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Bruce Pearl Hit with Three-Year "Show Cause" Penalty

Ex-Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl has been hit with a three-year "show cause" penalty for his role in the recruiting violations and subsequent cover-up that ended his tenure with the Vols.

The "show cause" penalty is the harshest the NCAA can levy on an individual. That status means any institution wishing to hire Pearl must appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions and explain the hiring decision, and potentially face sanctions as a result. No Division I institution has ever taken that step. In fact, only one coach in Division I men's basketball history - Morgan State's Todd Bozeman - has ever landed a head coaching job after being hit with the "show cause" penalty.

Pearl's "show cause" status expires on August 23, 2014. Three of his assistant coaches - Tony Jones, Steve Forbes and Jason Shay - received the same penalty, but with a one-year duration.

Of course, just because he can't work in the NCAA doesn't mean Pearl won't be spending any time in basketball gyms for the next three years. The controversial coach reportedly has an offer to take over the Texas Legends - the D-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.

View the original article here

Winningest Women's Coaches

Bob Knight retired from coaching with 902 wins -- the most by any men's Division I basketball coach in history. He'd need at least three -- possibly four -- more runs to the Final Four to catch Pat Summitt's win total -- and Summitt is still going strong. Here's a look at the biggest winners in women's college basketball history.

1. Pat Summitt - 1000 (active)

Getty Images / Al Messerschmidt

On February 5th, 2009, Pat Summitt became the first college basketball coach in Division I -- men's or women's -- to boast 1000 career victories. Her next target may be championships -- with eight, she's just two behind legendary UCLA coach John Wooden.

ESPN.com: Summitt Wins 1000

2. Jody Conradt - 900

Jody Conradt's career spanned 38 seasons -- 31 one of them as head coach at Texas. Her record in Austin was 783–245, and included an undefeated team that won the national championship in 1986. She retired in 2007.

3. C. Vivian Stringer - 815 (active)

To the casual fan, C. Vivian Stringer is probably best known as one of the protagonists in the controversy of Don Imus' unfortunate remarks and eventual firing. That's a shame, because she's one of the top coaches in the history of the women's game, racking up over 800 wins in stints at Cheyney, Iowa, and Rutgers.

4. Sylvia Hatchell - 801 (active)

Hatchell is the only women's basketball coach to win championships at the AIAW (small college), NAIA and NCAA Division I levels. She won the 1994 NCAA title as coach of the Tar Heels -- and her Carolina team is a threat to win another championship in 2009.

5. Tara VanDerveer - 739 (active)

The coach of the reigning champions, VanDerveer has won three NCAA titles (1990, 1992, 2008) during her tenure at Stanford.

6. Kay Yow - 737

Kay Yow is one of the most successful coaches in the history of women's college basketball, with over 700 career wins and a gold medal from the 1988 Seoul Olympics on her resume. But her contributions to society went far beyond the basketball court -- diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, Yow became a major force in fundraising efforts, and served on the board of the V Foundation. She passed away on January 24, 2009 at the age of 66.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

Midnight Madness is still weeks away... but here's an early look at how the top teams of 2011-12 stack up in the eyes of your intrepid guide to basketball.

1. North Carolina

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

With Harrison Barnes and John Henson opting to stay in school for one more year, the Tar Heels are absolutely stacked this season. The emergence of Kendall Marshall as a legit point guard could be the key to an NCAA title run.

2. Kentucky

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

Another year, another ridiculously-talented recruiting class for John Calipari's wildcats. Incoming freshmen Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague could be NBA lottery picks. Plus, the wildcats return Terrence Jones from last season's Final Four squad.

3. Ohio State

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Jared Sullinger would have been a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft. His return gives Thad Matta's Buckeyes a dominant big man to play off a talented backcourt featuring Aaron Craft and William Buford.

4. Duke

Getty Images / Kevin C. Cox

The Dookies lose Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, but bring back the Plumlee brothers, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, and add Austin Rivers - Celtics' coach Doc Rivers' son and one of the top incoming freshmen of 2011-12.

5. Syracuse

Getty Images / Jim McIsaac

Jim Boeheim's 27-8 team returns mostly intact, with Rick Jackson the only loss. His production could be replaced by the continued development of big man Fab Melo.

6. Connecticut

Obviously, the loss of Kemba Walker is huge. But Jeremy Lamb could be Jim Calhoun's next superstar, and most of the champs' supporting cast is back to defend their title.

7. Vanderbilt

Kentucky runs the SEC with a never-ending series of one-and-dones. Vandy has taken a different route - returning every player from last year's 23-11 team - and could wind up competing with the Wildcats for the conference crown.

8. Louisville

Rick Pitino's squad out-performed expectations last season. They'll have a lot more hype this year, thanks to the incoming freshman tandem of Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan.

9. Memphis

Josh Pastner's squad may not reach the same heights as John Calipari's best Tiger teams, but with Adonis Thomas joining a very solid returning core, Memphis should be the class of Conference USA.

10. Florida

Guard play is key in college basketball, and Billy Donovan's club will be knee-deep in talented guards. The Gators return Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker and add Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario and freshman Brad Beal. If they can get anything out of center Patric Young, this team will be very dangerous in March.

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