A popular sentiment among some college basketball coaches, a lot of fans, and some members of the media is that the NCAA should punish Alabama for playing Charles Bediako as they are expected to on Saturday against Tennessee.
Kentucky's Mark Pope advocated for just that this week. A lot of fans were in agreement. Members of the media, including former coaches such as Seth Greenberg, have advocated for that as well.
A good idea in theory, except for the fact that it would be in direct violation of a court order and put the NCAA in contempt of court. But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln!
Point #3 on the temporary restraining order written by Tuscaloosa judge James Roberts explicitly bars the NCAA from any kind of punishment:
"The Defendant, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), INC, is further restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting, or implying any penalties or sanctions on Mr. Bediako or the University of Alabama or its coaches or other student-athletes as a result of Mr. Bediako's participation in Division I athletics competition under the Rule of Restitution (NCAA Bylaw 12.11.4.2) or otherwise."
And it's that verbiage, along with support from the Alabama adminstration and compliance office, that has Nate Oats unconcerned with any potential NCAA punishment.
"We've been in constant contact with our administration and compliance. There's no concern with that," Oats said when asked about NCAA punishment.
Alabama is protected from any NCAA punishment over Charles Bediako eligibility
The situation is different, but not completely dissimilar to Gonzaga playing Tyon Grant-Foster this year.
Grant-Foster was denied a waiver for an additional season of eligibility by the NCAA for this season. But he was granted a preliminary injunction by a Spokane judge - a graduate of Gonzaga Law School, no less - which has allowed Grant-Foster to play.
The situations may be different, but in the NCAA's eyes, Grant-Foster is just as ineligible to play as Bediako. And yet there's been no discussion about the Bulldogs forfeitting games or being left out of the NCAA Tournament.
If Oats, Greg Byrne, or anyone in Alabama's compliance office had even the slightest worry about Bediako causing them to forfeit games, he wouldn't be suiting up for the Crimson Tide on Saturday or in any contest moving forward.
As such, Bediako is set to make his Alabama re-debut tomorrow night against Tennessee.