NCAA hits USC with two years of probation, fine
LOS ANGELES » The NCAA hit Southern California’s men’s basketball program with two years’ probation and a $5,000 fine on Thursday because a former assistant coach violated NCAA ethical conduct rules when he accepted a bribe to steer players to a business management company.
The Division I Committee on Infractions announced the penalties, which include a 1% loss of the school’s basketball budget. The probation, which does not include a postseason ban, runs until April 14, 2023.
Tony Bland, the former associate head coach under coach Andy Enfield, wasn’t mentioned by name in the NCAA report. He was fired by the school in January 2018 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.
As part of his plea deal with federal prosecutors, Bland acknowledged accepting a $4,100 bribe during a July 2017 meeting with financial advisers and business managers in exchange for directing players to retain their services when they entered the pro ranks. He received two
DEMARKCUS BOWMAN, RB
Florida (from Clemson): Bowman was a five-star recruit in the class of 2020, but didn’t see much action for the Tigers as a freshman. He returns to his home state with the Gators’ offense looking for playmakers. The sophomore should get the opportunity right away to live up to the recruiting hype. years’ probation.
Government recordings from the meetings revealed Bland had touted his ability to connect the company with current or prospective players, noting he had heavy influence over their decisions.
The meetings violated NCAA rules that prohibit athletics staff from receiving benefits for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a player and an agent or financial adviser. Athletics staff members are also prohibited from representing any players in marketing their athletic ability or reputation to an agency and from accepting compensation for the representation.
Cincinnati hires
UNC Greensboro’s Miller
CINCINNATI » Cincinnati has hired UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller to replace the fired John Brannen.
Miller, regarded as one of the top young coaches in college basketball, won 185 games in 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro. Over the last five years, the Spartans have five-straight 20-win seasons, two NCAA Tournament
WAN’DALE ROBINSON, WR Kentucky (from Nebraska): The speedy and versatile Robinson caught 91passes in two seasons with the Cornhuskers before returning to his home state to play for the Wildcats. Kentucky’s offense was in need of game-breakers last season. Coach Mark Stoops will hope to get that from Robinson, who gained 1,494yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns with Nebraska.
WANYA MORRIS, OT Oklahoma (from Tennessee): Morris was a two-year starter for the Volunteers after signing as a five-star recruit. The Sooners typically have one of the best offensive lines in the country, but they were in danger of entering 2021thin at tackle until the Georgia native decided to head to Norman. He will compete for a starting spot. appearances, two NIT appearances and two Southern Conference tournament championships.
UNC’s Davis picks Lebo
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. » New North Carolina coach Hubert Davis has completed his staff filled with former Tar Heels players.
The school said Davis has hired a former head coach in Jeff Lebo to work as an assistant coach while elevating Sean May from director of basketball operations to assistant coach. Davis is retaining Brad Frederick as an assistant coach after he had worked in that role under retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams.
It will mark the first time the Tar Heels’ head coach and three primary assistant coaches are all former Tar Heels players. When he was hired last week, Davis had said: “You can’t do this job unless you’re a Carolina guy.”
Lebo played for Dean Smith
RYAN HILINSKI, QB Northwestern (from South Carolina): Hilinski started 11games as a freshman for the Gamecocks in 2019, but played just two last season. He was a four-star prospect out of Southern California. The Wildcats have started the last two seasons with transfer quarterbacks, getting good results from Peyton Ramsey (Indiana) in 2020and not so good in 2019from Hunter Johnson (Clemson). from 1985-89 and later served as head coach at Auburn, Chattanooga, East Carolina and Tennessee Tech. That experience will prove key considering the 50-year-old Davis — who played with Lebo under Smith — is a first-time college head coach.
Creighton’s Ballock fifth starter to leave
OMAHA, NEB. » Mitch Ballock, one of the top 3-point shooters in Creighton history, will not return to the Bluejays in 2021-22.
The school confirmed that Ballock had signed with an agent and will pursue pro opportunities. Ballock, who is on track to graduate in May, ranks No. 3 on the school 3-point chart with 308, behind Kyle Korver and Ethan Wragge.
The native of Eudora, Kansas, shot 38.9% on 3s and averaged 9.9 points per game this past season for the Bluejays.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL ... NOTABLE TRANSFERS FOR 2021
TYKEE SMITH, S Georgia (from West Virginia): Smith was a third-team All-American as a sophomore last season in Morgantown. The Philadelphia native landed in Athens shortly after his position coach with the Mountaineers, Jahmile Addae, made a similar move. He should slip right into a hole Georgia has in its secondary.
TYRIQUE STEVENSON, CB Miami (from Georgia): Stevenson was one of the top-ranked defensive back recruits in the country in 2019and has been a contributor to Georgia’s defense the last two seasons. After being used as more of a nickel back in the Bulldogs’ scheme, he will likely be asked to fill a more traditional outside corner role for the Hurricanes as he returns to his home city.