Dook In Doo-Doo?

[The Poet]

OK, there have been a number of off-season stories on NCAA basketball I've ignored (at least on this board), but this one cries out for a report. Seems like, back in December 2009, some 3 months before Coach K and his Blue Devils won their 4th National Championship, starting senior forward Lance Thomas walked into a Manhattan jewelry store and "bought" nearly $100,000 worth of diamond bling. I say "bought" because he gave the store $30,000, with the bill of sale stipulating that the balance of $67,800 be paid in full within 15 days. To date, closing in on 3 years now, said balance has NOT been paid, and the store has just filed suit against Thomas to recoup its losses.

The potential questions this could raise in the minds of NCAA investigators are numerous. First, where did a college student get $30,000 to blow on diamonds? Second, why would any merchant allow a 21-year-old student to obtain a $67+K unsecured loan, based upon a handshake? Third, was any of the above based upon this student's status as a "star" player of a powerhouse program, with the presumed assumption of his future earning potential? If any, and I emphasize, ANY!, of these questions lead to the conclusion that Lance Thomas received improper benefits, solicited or not, due to his position as a Duke player, it will be seen as a serious violation of NCAA rules regarding such benefits, and could even lead to THE VACATION OF DUKE'S 2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Smoke that over, and we'll discuss anon.