Several sources tell ESPN that the word “vacate” appears multiple times in the NCAA’s report of it’s findings about Memphis’ possible violations.  A Memphis newspaper, citing an unnamed source, says that Memphis will be forced to vacate the whole season and the Final Four appearance of 2007-2009.

The charges against Memphis stem from the allegation that Derrick Rose, who went to the NBA after just one season at Memphis and helped lead the Chicago Bulls on their exciting playoff run this last season, had someone else take the SAT for him.  The NCAA cleared Rose to play–and he seems pretty smart to us, at least in the way he plays–but that’s not the only violation.  There are several other “major” ones that haven’t been revealed, but include thousands of dollars in free travel for Rose’s brother.

If the championship game appearance and season are vacated, John Calipari–currently about to start coaching at Kentucky–would be the first coach ever to have two Final Four appearances vacated, as Calipari’s 1996 UMass team had the same issue.  Kentucky’s sticking by him, since as their AD pointed out, he was hired before these violations came to light.  Now, to be clear, Calipari hasn’t been implicated in either of these cases, but at the very leas UPH thinks it points to some serious lack of oversight in his department.  Whether or not the staff members who might be responsible followed Calipari from one place to another, something’s being said about the culture of his teams, and it ain’t good.

He weighs in–not officially, since he hasn’t commented, even claiming yesterday he had no idea the report was to be released Thursday.  His latest twittering?

UKCoachCalipari“The only true observer of your world and your issues is you.” – Karen Salmansohn

…um, and maybe also ESPN?