After nearly five years in limbo, we may be closer to a resolution regarding the allegations against the Tigers men’s basketball program. According to a report from Sports Illustrated, LSU officials received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA regarding the infractions case that dates back to 2017.
The Tigers were one of several programs caught up in a wide-reaching federal investigation into corruption within the sport that has already put several executives of the apparel company Adidas behind bars.
Of the six programs with active infractions cases stemming from that investigation, only one — North Carolina State — has seen a resolution to the case from the NCAA’s Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP).
The Wolfpack weren’t given a postseason ban, but former coach Mark Gottfried received a one-year show-cause penalty while former assistant Orlando Early got a six-year penalty.
The report from Sports Illustrated outlined how this process could move forward for LSU with the IARP.
LSU now has several weeks to file a response to the charges. The CCU will file its own response and a hearing will be held with a ruling thereafter. Those steps in the laborious process will likely take several months, but the ruling would be final. There is no appeal built into the IARP.
Tigers head coach Will Wade agreed to a contract amendment in 2019 that would allow LSU to fire him for cause if he’s charged by the NCAA with a major violation. Whether that’s a step that would be taken prior to the conclusion of the investigation is unclear.
This news comes on the eve of the SEC Tournament in Tampa, where the Tigers are the No. 5 seed and will look for a strong showing to secure an already mostly airtight March Madness resume. However, it appears they’ll be doing so with the cloud of an NCAA investigation hanging over their heads.
[listicle id=48854]
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno