Alabama basketball: Auburn prepares for trouble, what about the Tide?

Alabama basketball season begins with an exhibition game Nov. 6th. Auburn has suspended two players because of the FBI probe. Are any Tide players at risk?

It is customary for Alabama basketball and football fans to relish adversity befalling the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers released some bad news for their basketball program this week. As a result of the ongoing FBI probe of college basketball, two Auburn players, Austin Wiley and Daniel Purifoy have been suspended indefinitely.

Former Auburn assistant coach and former NBA star, Chuck Person was arrested on six counts of bribery. Allegedly, Person received close to $100,000 to solicit future star athletes to choose a certain financial advisor. The FBI complaint accused Person of using some of the money to pay players or their family members. By inference, it is assumed those player payments encouraged one or more players to attend Auburn.

Three other coaches, affiliated with Arizona, Oklahoma State and USC were also arrested. Until this week, Auburn head coach, Bruce Pearl did not admit knowing two of his team’s current players were possibly implicated in the investigation.

What about the Tide?

Alabama basketball has not been unscathed by the investigation. Crimson Tide staffer Kobie Baker was forced to resign due to his expected involvement in taking money. The FBI investigation stated that the father of a future Tide player met with Baker and discussed future financial representation for his son. The FBI inquiry did not disclose any money being paid to the future Tide player or his family. The player’s name was not disclosed but given other details, it is almost certain the player was Collin Sexton.

Avery Johnson’s Response

Twice, Avery Johnson has been asked to comment on the eligibility status of the 2017-18 Alabama basketball roster. Avery’s responses have been terse. His answers are clear and direct but on both occasions, he has declined to elaborate. His latest response was reported by Tony Tsoukalas of BamaInsider.com,

"“We’re moving forward with the roster that we have, and that’s all I’ll say about that. I’m not going to comment on another school, but our team we’re moving forward with the roster that we have.”"

When pressed for more clarification, Avery added,

"“We’re moving forward with the roster that we have. So we have 13 scholarship players and two walk-ons.”"

Avery’s reticence to elaborate is disconcerting. He has good reason to be cautious and no doubt he has been advised to do just that. Any answer that addresses a player by name will automatically lead to more specific questions.

We have no specific reason to suspect future eligibility issues for Alabama basketball. That lack of suspicion does not keep us from wishing Avery could communicate a resounding ‘all-clear’ for Collin Sexton and every other player on the roster.  When or if such assurance will be provided is not known.

No close follower of college basketball expects the two Auburn suspensions will be the last resulting from the FBI investigation. Teams with any significant risk of players becoming ineligible will choose player suspensions before risking vacating wins later.

The Alabama basketball regular season begins on November 10th. If there is more risk to Collin Sexton’s Alabama basketball future, it should be known before then.

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According to FBI records, former Alabama basketball staffer, Kobie Baker was paid $10,000 to facilitate meeting(s). To date, the FBI has not charged Baker with any crime. Additionally, there is no public knowledge about any NCAA corresponding action.

What the NCAA will do and when could be months away. The FBI did not inform the NCAA of the widespread college basketball investigation before details were publically released.