The Zoom call to discuss the Memphis men’s basketball infractions case flickered to life at 11:09 a.m. ET, nine minutes late. It was extremely on-brand that the worst NCAA body ever designed was behind schedule.
The Independent Accountability Resolution Process, the New Coke of college athletics’ bright ideas, had finally reached a ruling on a case that came to light in November 2019 and was handed to it in March ’20. It involved star recruit James Wiseman, who is now starting his third season in the NBA and won a championship ring with the Warriors last June. That’s how old this case was (though it’s still younger than others wallowing in IARP purgatory).
The case also involved current coach Penny Hardaway, who had a very tangible stake in this ruling. As did his program. The initial Notice of Allegations was serious: Four Level I violations were said to have occurred. There could have been lengthy suspensions, even a postseason ban. The stakes were high.
