Whispers

 

All three players were named in an extensive and graphic police report regarding an alleged rape that took place March 8, hours after Oregon defeated No. 3 Arizona to finish the regular season on a high note in front of a national audience. In the report, a female victim alleges she was forced to have sex with the players at several different times at a house party and apartment. The players claimed the sex was consensual in interviews with police in early April. 

 

That case has since been closed and no charges were filed. The players were initially suspended on April 30, the day Oregon AD Robert Mullens and Altman read the EPD’s report. The incident was investigated March 17, three days before the Ducks were scheduled to play BYU in a Round of 64 game, but it not come to light until almost two months later when the dismissals were handed down.

 

Altman’s job is apparently safe but Oregon president Michael Gottfredson and Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes spoke three and a half hours prior to Altman’s press conference to offer answers and information surrounding the case involving the three players; why they continued to play after the incident; and when Oregon athletic officials knew about the events in question the night of March 8. Gottfredson said the school has scheduled a review of Oregon basketball’s recruiting methods, a review that will be done by a committee not affiliated with the univeresity. “As the president of this university I am angry and disappointed,” Gottfredson said. “We would like to say more but we are not going to violate the laws that protect student privacy.”

 

When the team learned of the allegations against Dotson, Artis and Austin, Mullens said they did not know which players were involved, and that Altman and Mullens first looked at the police report April 30. Within 24 hours of seeing the report, all three players were indefinitely suspended. That police report was made public earlier in the week. Mullens also told reporters the school was not aware of an ongoing investigation into a sexual assault allegation against Austin from last November, when Austin was at Providence. Austin, who was suspended for the year at PC, transferred to Oregon in January. Regrding Austin’s history, Altman said he spoke with Providence coach Ed Cooley, Austin’s family and Austin about his history. “I had every confidence after speaking with the family that there was nothing that would prevent him from playing for Oregon,” Altman said. “He did not give specifics … my line of questioning probably did not go deep enough there, in retrospect.” Interesting, since most members of the Big East media were aware of the allegations at the time of his transfer.

 

Including players graduating, the dismissal of Dotson, Artis and Austin — and transfers from A.J. Lapray and Ben Carter — the Ducks will have 11 players from their 2013-14 roster not on the team next season.

 

In the residue of the coaching shakeup at BC, Arizona has landed former Eagles’ forward Ryan Anderson.

The 6-8 junior committed on his visit. He also considered Iowa and Inidiana. Anderson is a California native who averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season for BC. He told ESPN he plans to sit out this coming season following shoulder surgery and play his final season in 2015-16. At least new coach Jim ?Christian wil have high scoring guard Olivier Hanlan to rebuild with for a program that finished 14th in the ACC. 

 

I’ve never been a big fan of high school All Star games, other than the Nike Hoop Summit because i think they are nothing more than showcases of individual  talents and glorified layup drills. But if nothing else, the Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center reinforced my opinion that 6-11 center Jalil Okafor from Whitney Young in Chicago is the best prospect in the country and the leading candidate for first team All American when he plays for Duke next year. Okafor had 29 points and 6 rebounds as the East defeated the West, 158-141, in the marquee game of a triple header.