Response fallout

The University of Hawaii’s official response to the NCAA’s notice of allegations was filed and made public on Friday.

Former coach Gib Arnold, meanwhile, hasn’t yet made any public comments detailing his official response, although his attorney, James Bickerton has indicated that the overriding theme will be contesting just about all aspects of UH’s version of events.

They aren’t the only ones disappointed by UH’s self-imposed sanctions, which included 36 vacated wins from the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

That’s exactly when the career of Brandon Spearman spanned. The guard — who just wrapped up his first season as a pro in Germany — hadn’t heard about the self-sanctions initially, but once he did, he was taken aback.

“The kids and the university shouldn’t have to suffer. It’s sad,” Spearman wrote in a message.

Former ‘Bow Isaac Fotu, meanwhile, just finished up his first professional season in Spain. He said in a message Saturday he hadn’t yet seen UH’s response (in which his name is redacted several times), but would look into it. He didn’t give a subsequent comment.

Do you feel UH’s self-sanctions — the vacated games, a reduction of a scholarship for the next two seasons, restrictions to practice time and the practice access of the director of operations, and one year of probation — adequately covered the alleged violations? Were they excessive? Keep in mind, no postseason ban was levied, which was privately brought up early by UH as it weighed its response.

Feel free to weigh in below.

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As far as some other former ‘Bows playing professionally, Sunday was a big day for Matt Lojeski. The Olympiacos guard had a shot at a Euroleague title, the most prestigious club championship in the world outside of the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy. But Olympiacos came up short, despite a great game by Lojeski — a team-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Real Madrid was too strong playing in their home country and rolled late in the game to a 78-59 decision.

Bill Amis enjoyed a solid season in his first year in Romania, for Steaua CSM. He averaged 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Here is a highlight mix from his season.

Fotu was traded at midseason within Spain from CAI Zaragoza to La Bruixa d’Or Manresa, where he enjoyed a starting job (albeit on a lower team in the Spanish league standings). He put up 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.


Spearman enjoyed a productive first season as a pro, averaging 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds for Rist Wedel in Germany, which finished second in its division at 15-9.

Christian Standhardinger has played in Germany with a team with an exceptionally long name, but they go by the acronym MBC, which seems to work much better. He had 10.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg and led the team in field-goal attempts by a pretty wide margin.

Davis Rozitis, who is currently in town, played for Valmiera in his native Latvia. He contributed 9.8 points. 5.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks as a starter.

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Norm Parrish (Utah photo)
Norm Parrish
(Utah photo)

Here’s an interesting tidbit on UH’s new assistant coach, Norm Parrish. One of his three children, Travis, is a basketball player at Division II Alaska Anchorage. Travis just completed his first season up north after transferring from Utah State, where he was on the football team. He will be a junior in the fall.

Coach Parrish said that it’s actually farther from Salt Lake City to Anchorage (they drove up there) than it is to Honolulu, so he’s not bothered by the long distance coming out here.

Parrish should be in town by about Wednesday.

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There were no known recruits in this weekend, as UH lower campus was bustling for graduation.

Congratulations to outgoing ‘Bows guards Garrett Nevels and Brandon Jawato on their degrees.

COMMENTS

  1. H-man May 17, 2015 8:08 pm

    If, and there is an “if” right? If the NCAA accepts the self-imposed sanctions, I feel UH did well in a situation where NCAA imposed sanctions could be worse. UH took a positive step to fix the problems within its internal operations to prevent future violations in the future. Remember, this is the second time the NCAA has come down on UH Basketball for violations. There cannot be a third time.


  2. poorboy May 17, 2015 9:31 pm

    Well NCAA and Hawaii…never know..MVB vacated national title, and 1976-78
    sanctions and post season ban..resulted in MBB not playing for NIT or NCAA until 1989, some 11 years later
    UH… hard to figure, and Brian with recent years problems…have to wait couple years whether to trust UH Admin..
    Gib battle, and treating Benjy as lesser, if not very low respected man..
    UH reap what they sow
    sad..


  3. AdmrVT May 17, 2015 10:25 pm

    I hope the published rumor that Coach Ganot will assume the DOBO duties is wrong. Given the self-imposed sanctions, how can he not be there as the DOBO but be there for practice as head coach? Don’t know how that would work.


  4. poorboy May 17, 2015 11:30 pm

    AdmrVT and H-man.. I guess a lot of us are not alone, fans of MBB and UH alumnus
    or loyal supporters of Athletics programs.
    There, is something, just something that is Not right with this Eran coach hiring, and to think it was made, actually by a Linquistics professor? Chancello Bley Vroman, over Matlin? weird.. Too many questions.. Think Arnold, Gib, might be taking down a road a battle that they don’t want. Good question, How can you be DOBA and HC at same time? does Eran know what he is doing?
    I want the best for student athletes, and their families, too much stress for one year.
    UH admin, and AD’s and counsel don’t know how to run Athletics or Academics institution.. how or WHY should we vest in a University that leaves more questions, than legitimate, sound answers.. Brian.. it is weird, crazy.. You have to write a report, about that.. the conflicts.. and I am very sure, very sure, Not All the guys on team are happy with change in coaches, the past year..


  5. ALLAN May 17, 2015 11:58 pm

    NCAA WILL PROBABLY BAN UHBB FROM POST-SEASON PLAY FOR THE NEXT 2 YRS…HOW ELSE CAN THEY HURT HAWAII? THAT’S THEIR PURPOSE!


  6. K-Bay May 18, 2015 2:05 am

    The Historical Basis for Vacating Victories is use of Ineligible Players in the Victory;
    Neither DR, Nor IF were Ineligible; the Porsche and iPad Faux Pas had not yet occured; Further, Both should have been Correctable via “Repayment”, Sanction & Submission of Corrective Actions … A Compliance Office Condoned Car “Rental”and $100 used iPad for 36 Victories? Obviously the Response was NOT Written by Any One who ever worked so hard to EARN A Victory; Opinion / Evaluation: Very Large LOSS of Perspective and Balance; Another Gross Upper Campus Over-Reaction — HOW MANY Victories should UNC Vacate for An Entire Fraudulent Team — Players Eligible Largely due to Multiple “A’s Earned” in Bogus Classes [What? No Sanctions there for a Five-Year-Plus Problem?]
    I Hope Former Players Speak Out Against the UC’s Total Lack of Respect and Support of The Program And Players…Tip of the Spear to You, too…


  7. poorboy May 18, 2015 7:50 am

    Read Ferd column and Gib’s response
    see..two sides to story
    Gib can win fight against many of accusations…I felt it is so vindictive..and UH trying to cover okoles, get rid of Lassner, bley vroman, bor chair..things better
    the vacating of wins? Bogus
    Spearman, Christian , Davis worked hard for them, and Fotu
    ..UH ..the more Gib side comes out, tons of fans will start to turn on them
    really no aloha or akamai
    k bay , Gib finishing strong..


  8. Hoosier May 18, 2015 11:25 am

    Poor boy continues his rants against Ganot hiring. Hints at prejudice in hiring of Ganot and continually predicts all players leaving. I think I take Eran’s word over Poorboy, UHF1, or whatever other news he uses to comment.. Can’t wait for NCAA ruling so men’s bob can move forward. No more conspiracy theories from Poorboy then.


  9. Pocho May 18, 2015 7:17 pm

    UH is so screwed up, why didn’t they ban themselves from post season play last year? I mean they fired coaches prior to last season start, even knew the NCAA allegations prior to it and was talking with it counsel that was familiar with what to do in situations like these as far as self-sanctions IMO. Don’t know the exact time line though.


  10. wildcard May 19, 2015 2:59 am

    sounds like uh mbb has been a screw up since ever since? maybe uh should get rid of its mbb regardless of if it makes money or its unpopular because it essentially became the root of all its evil creating problems more than its worth? seriously its out of control.


  11. poorboy May 19, 2015 1:25 pm

    wildcard:

    sad to say, and I am long time fan, maybe.. UH MBB, just take break for awhile, and come back again..really the whole athletics dept.. but MBB, don’t know what to make out of UH vs NCAA vs Gib vs whomever.. wild


  12. mctruck May 20, 2015 4:49 am

    UH should they have to pay Gib any significant $$$, should make sure that Gib pays for whatever expenses UH has had to spend thus far involving these NCAA violations.
    Wonder if Austin Pope has already found a new home to play?, and if not I’m wondering if Ganot would try to mend the fences?


  13. cappie the dog May 20, 2015 6:22 am

    12.

    North Carolina Central of the MEAC.


  14. cappie the dog May 20, 2015 6:24 am

    Stay Garrett, be Hawaii’s graduate assistant.


  15. Not an Expert May 20, 2015 8:36 pm

    I mentioned before the start of last season that UH’s self sanction should be to ban the team from post season play for the 2014-2015 season. If the NCAA bans them for future post season band, this will show how stupid the administration is. There was 1 senior on the team so you go figah.


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