Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky, which has a checkered NCAA past

It has been a week since the story broke that the NCAA is looking at the University of Memphis' basketball program regarding possible rules violations. The charges are considered major. The most serious allegation is that an unknown person took a SAT exam in place of a player, according to the Associated Press.

Of course, new University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari was the coach at Memphis when the alleged incident took place. Calipari is not considered at risk in the probe, but the NCAA required him to take part in a hearing this week.

Even though he is not accused of any wrong doing, it is interesting that his new job is at a school known almost as much for its corruption as for its championships.

Want proof? Here is some information courtesy of the Lexington Herald-Leader:

1952
The aftermath of a severe point-shaving scandal made UK, in effect, the first school to get the death penalty. In November, the NCAA asked its member schools not to play Kentucky in men's basketball during the 1952-53 season. The NCAA cited at least four instances over a four-year period of UK supporters giving Kentucky players money. As a result, UK canceled its basketball season. Had the Wildcats been allowed to play, a team with stars Cliff Hagan and Frank Ramsey probably would have led Adolph Rupp to his fourth NCAA championship in six seasons. The examples of illegal subsidization of players came to the attention of the NCAA after they arose in court documents relating to the massive point-shaving scandal of the late 1940s. That national scandal ensnared at least 31 players from around the United States. Adolph Rupp, who had publicly vowed that gamblers "couldn't get to our players with a 10-foot pole," was embarrassed when ex-UK stars Ralph Beard and Alex Groza admitted accepting cash.

1976
Kentucky hit the daily double of cheating, going on probation in both football and men's basketball at the same time. Among violations the NCAA cited were cars and cash apparently offered to UK players, as well as some recruits who chose other schools. At the time, 12 Kentucky boosters were ordered to disassociate themselves from UK athletics. The basketball program, which was deemed to have the least serious offenses, was given two years of probation and limited to signing three new players in both 1978 and 1979. Coach Joe B. Hall's Wildcats were on probation when they won UK's fifth NCAA title in 1978.

1985
In a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative series, the Herald-Leader reported that 26 former UK basketball players said they accepted either cash or gifts from boosters. After investigating for almost three years, the NCAA said in March 1988 that it had been unable to substantiate the infractions reported by the newspaper. The NCAA reprimanded UK for not cooperating with the investigation.

1988
Some 28 days after the NCAA concluded its previous investigation, an air-freight package sent by UK to the father of a basketball recruit "popped open" in Los Angeles, revealing $1,000 in $50 bills. In addition to that infraction, the NCAA subsequently alleged that a UK player cheated on his ACT to earn a score high enough to qualify for eligibility. Ultimately, Kentucky was hit with three years of probation, including a two-year tournament ban and a one-year live TV blackout. Only the cooperation of then-UK President David Roselle in the investigation kept Kentucky from getting the death penalty, the NCAA said.

Tennessee is truly a hotbed for men's college hoops

If a person needed more evidence proving that Tennessee contains great men's college basketball, all he would have to do is look at the number of schools the state is sending to the NCAA tournament.

Over the weekend, both Belmont and Austin Peay earned berths in the tourney by winning their conference tournaments. Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Memphis are guaranteed to make the big dance so that means five schools from the Volunteer state will play deep into March.

If there is a state that will be sending that many, I am unaware of it.

Too bad the big boys at ESPN don't recognize this.

Prediction: Memphis will edge UT in Saturday's showdown

I've watched a lot of Tennessee Volunteer basketball over the years, and a person could make a pretty compelling argument that Saturday's game at Memphis is the biggest game in the program's history.

True, it is not a conference game. However, Memphis is unbeaten and the top ranked team in the country, while Tennessee is 24-2 and ranked second. This would be a huge game if it were played in November much less late February. Both teams are fine tuning themselves in preparation for the NCAA tourney next month.

I watched Memphis play Alabama-Birmingham last Saturday, and they were fortunate to win. They trailed by seven with only a minute and a half remaining. However, they outscored the Blazers 9-1 the rest of the way and squeaked out the win. Frankly, I thought they got the benefit of a couple of calls from the officials, but the bottom line is they won.

This should be a fun game. It gives both teams a break from the grind of their conference schedules. Memphis has looked a little unmotivated the last couple of weeks because they play in a weak conference in which they are clearly the best team.

However, I expect them to be razor sharp against the Vols. Both like to play an up tempo style that should guarantee a high score.

Since the game is being played in Memphis, I think the edge goes to them. Experts say having home court advantage is worth four points in college basketball so expect the margin of victory to be about that amount. If it was being played in Knoxville, I'd be taking the Vols. I think it is that close a match up.