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 bids Fulmer farewell on Saturday against Kentucky

The phrase 'it's the end of an era' is an overused cliché, but it genuinely fits when the Tennessee Volunteers host Kentucky on Saturday. Of course, it is Phillip Fulmer's last game as Tennessee head coach. He has served the program well over the last 17 years, but his era is about to end.

Other than sending Fulmer out on a high note, there are other things that should motivate the Volunteers. Tennessee hasn't lost to Kentucky since 1984, and the end of that streak would put a dismal exclamation point on an already dismal season. Also, Tennessee is one of only two Division I teams (Ohio State is the other) to have never lost eight games in a season.

Kentucky is 6-5, but only 2-5 in SEC play. They have played stout defense in most games, but Vanderbilt scored 31 against them in their last game two weeks ago. Also, Florida laid 63 on them earlier in the season, but the Gators have been doing that to everybody lately.

Against Vanderbilt last Saturday, Tennessee played four quarterbacks and passed for only 21 yards. That is astonishing. If Tennessee can find a way to score 20 points, then the Vols will win. I just don't think that will happen.

The pick: Kentucky 17 Tennessee 12

Other SEC games: Georgia over Georgia Tech, Florida over Florida State, Clemson over South Carolina, Wake Forest over Vanderbilt, LSU over Arkansas, Alabama over Auburn, Ole Miss over Mississippi State

Last week: 1-3 (.250), Overall: 65-23 (.739)

Tennessee, Mississippi State mirror each other in important ways

A casual glance around the Southeastern Conference reveals there are several teams with a lot in common. More and more teams have developed good defenses but been saddled with bad offenses.

Of course, Tennessee leads the way in this department. After the Vols' one rushing yard effort against Georgia, they are really struggling and putting more and more pressure on the defense. This week's opponent Mississippi State has also had trouble scoring consistently though running back Anthony Dixon has helped the Bulldogs develop a fairly dependable running game.

Kentucky and Auburn have also floundered consistently on offense. Even after Tommy Tuberville fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, the Tigers lost to Arkansas at home, which has to be the biggest upset of the conference season so far. Also, Vanderbilt is in danger of falling into this category as quarterbacks Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson both struggle.

As for this week's Tennessee/Mississippi State match up, if either team can score 20 points, I believe they will win. The Vols have only scored 45 points in their last four games, while the Bulldogs' offense showed signs of life against Vanderbilt and LSU in their last two games.

However, the Vols are playing at home. Expect this to be a physical game much like last year's game in Starkville. Tennessee won down there last year, and I believe they will get it done Saturday.

The pick: Tennessee 20 Mississippi State 17

Other SEC picks: Georgia over Vanderbilt, LSU over South Carolina, Kentucky over Arkansas, Alabama over Ole Miss

Last week: 2-3 (.400), Overall: 40-13 (.757)

Random thoughts from SEC action last weekend

Will the real Ole Miss please stand up? – Imagine what it must be like to be an Ole Miss fan this year. In the last three weeks, the Rebels have lost to Vanderbilt at home, beaten Florida at The Swamp, and lost to South Carolina at home. It is an obvious example of growing pains under first-year coach Houston Nutt, but it has to be maddening to the fans.

Twin sons of different mothers? – Is it just me or do Kentucky and Tennessee seem like mirror reflections of each other? Both have good defenses and bad offenses. If you are a Tennessee fan, this realization has to make you sad. Very sad.

Some teams thrive in the spotlight – Vanderbilt has had an amazing season so far, but things got taken up a notch last week. ESPN was on campus, and Auburn was clearly their toughest challenge so far. That said, their inexperience in big-time games really showed in the first quarter. They looked tentative and a step slow while falling behind 13-0. However, after that, they were clearly better than the Tigers in rallying to win 14-13. Auburn is starting to look more like Kentucky and Tennessee than LSU.

Up and then down, up and then down – I know Alabama is undefeated, but there can be no denying they have been erratic at times. After opening the season with a thrashing of Clemson, they struggled to beat Tulane the following week. Likewise, after embarrassing Georgia, they struggled at home against Kentucky. If this trend continues, it could cost them a championship.

It's no fun being young in the SEC – Arkansas is playing 16 freshmen on a regular basis, and they are getting pasted almost every Saturday. Last Saturday, they trailed Florida only 17-7 late in the third quarter, but collapsed late to lose 38-7.

One final note – Any Saturday is a good Saturday when Michigan loses.

Top of SEC's Eastern Division will be a jumble this year

Too many, Georgia is the clear-cut team to beat in the SEC East this year, but I don't think so. I think the Bulldogs have the potential to win it, but we all know the SEC is a conference of parity.

I don't see any team winning the SEC East outright this year. The divisional winner will have at least two conference losses, which means all of us will have to brush up on the conference's tiebreaker rules when it comes to determining which team will play in the SEC title game.

Frankly, I think this will be a season of surprises. Here is how I think it will shake out.

1. Florida Gators – While most of the talk surrounds quarterback Tim Tebow, the Gators will take a step forward this year because of its improved defense. The defense was inexperienced last year and was flat-out awful at times. It won't be great this year, but it will be good enough because the Gators should score a ton of points. Expecting Tebow to match his output of last year would be unfair, but he is the main reason the Gators will continue to score a lot of points.

2. Tennessee Volunteers – Even though the Volunteers return 16 starters from last year's divisional winning team, there isn't much talk about them repeating as champion. If the Vols develop depth on their defensive line and new quarterback Jonathan Crompton continues to progress, Tennessee will be right in the mix. A lot of people appear to be down on Coach Phillip Fulmer these days, but his career record is 147-45 (that's 102 games above .500 folks). I think some in the Vol Nation need to appreciate what they have.

3. Georgia Bulldogs – I know, I know. All the hype this year says Georgia should be a national championship contender, so how can I have them picked third in their own division? Just look at the schedule. The Bulldogs play six teams that have head coaches who have won national championships. The Bulldogs have the talent, but sometimes the schedule is just too tough. Prove me wrong, Georgia.

4. South Carolina Gamecocks – What is the state of the South Carolina program? Are they as good as they were when they started last season 6-1? Or, are they as bad as they were when they lost their last five games? Actually, they are somewhere in between. This year's team will be like many Carolina teams over the last five years. The Gamecocks will win seven games and go to a minor bowl. There is something bland about South Carolina football. I never thought I would say that about a Steve Spurrier coached team.

5. Kentucky Wildcats – Quarterback Andre Woodson carried Kentucky to eight wins last year, but he is gone, leaving a huge void on the team. Until a playmaker of his caliber steps forward, Kentucky will struggle. The Wildcats have a solid defense and a weak non-conference schedule, which means they will go bowling. However, 7-5 may be the best they can hope for.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores – Vandy lost a ton of talent from last year. Coach Bobby Johnson has done an excellent job improving the Commodores overall talent level, but this is clearly a transition year. Johnson is a good coach. Let’s hope Vanderbilt's administration continues to show patience with him.

Kentucky will return to its normal status in the SEC this year

For a while last year, it was as if SEC football fans had fallen asleep and awakened in the Bizarro World. Kentucky had just beaten LSU and climbed into the top 10. Of course, the dream didn't come true. The Wildcats lost some close games down the stretch and finished 8-5.

By Kentucky standards, it was an above average year. Now, the Wildcats will attempt to repeat the trick. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening because they lost their most significant weapon from last year.

Quarterback Andre Woodson was the heart, soul, and everything else for Kentucky. He elevated the play of everybody around him, and there doesn't appear to be anyone who can replace him. Curtis Pulley and Mike Hartline will compete for the starting job once practice begins, but most observers agree they are not in Woodson's league.

Kentucky's most important game will likely be on October 11 when they host South Carolina. The winner of that game will likely finish fourth in the SEC Eastern Division. This is about the most Kentucky can hope for this year.

They play a tough road schedule, visiting Louisville, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.

Of course, by mid-October most UK fans will turn their attention to basketball anyway. This is the fate of football programs at schools dominated by basketball (see North Carolina, Indiana, etc.).