CSU Northridge scandal rocks college basketball program

The CSU Northridge scandal brings to light more dishonesty in college hoops.

In the type of academic scandal generally associated with big name programs, the men’s basketball team of CSUN was penalized by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions in a judgment rendered on December 7.

The former Director of Basketball Operations was found to have submitted coursework for as many as ten players. Allegations arose during the 2015-16 season. It was a time when the Matadors finished 10-20.

Head coach Reggie Theus was cleared of all wrongdoing in the decision.

The committee identified the Director of Basketball Operations through the use of metadata. It showed logins and submissions from a computer address 70 miles from the campus.

In following, a statement was released surrounding the situation:

"“Today, the NCAA Committee on Infractions agreed with the self-imposed sanctions that the university and our Men’s Basketball program enacted. . .I am confident that the measures enacted since the violations were discovered. . .put all of our student-athletes in a position to succeed in and out of the classroom.”-Dianne, F. Harrison, CSU Northridge President"

The infractions affirm the penalties self-levied by Cal State-Northridge. Those include a one-year postseason ban, three years probation, and a $5,000 fine, among other things.

Additionally, the NCAA is forcing the program to vacate a not-yet specified number of wins.

Theus is a former NBA All-Star whowas hired in 2013 to resurrect an overlooked program.

With his high-profile stewardship, Athletic Director Brandon Martin made his hiring the beacon of his new tenure at the school.

The Matadors have largely been a disappointment under Theus, falling from 17 wins his first year to 9 and 10 in the subsequent seasons.

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It is not the first scandal we’ve heard about surrounding college hoops, but the hope is that the trend ends soon.