Even Huggins Knew Mayo Took Money

by Nestor on May 25, 2008 9:51 AM PDT

If it weren't for Bob Huggins' homework, Kansas State — rather than Southern Cal — could be in the middle of a major scandal involving O.J. Mayo, according to a K-State assistant coach.

Brad Underwood told the Konza Rotary Club this morning that Mayo was on the phone with Huggins, "begging to come here" around the time of national letter-of-intent signing day a year ago. Huggins told him no, Underwood said, because he thought Mayo would get in trouble because of money funneled to him and a friend prior to enrolling in college.

That's the center of the scandal now surrounding Mayo, who played one year as a guard at USC and is now headed to the NBA. The NCAA is investigating.

Mayo, originally from Huntington, W.Va., was among the top recruits in the nation at the time. Huggins, also originally from West Virginia, had been recruiting him for years and appeared to have a good shot at bringing him to K-State. Publicly, Mayo said he chose USC over K-State.

But Underwood today indicated that Mayo was saying up to the last minute that he wanted to come to K-State to be with Huggins because of their long ties. Huggins, though, said, "We're not going to take you. You'll never pass," in reference to NCAA amateur clearinghouse rules.

"So it's no surprise that this is coming out now," Underwood said of the scandal. "We knew it."

The irony is that "nothing's going to happen to O.J. Mayo," Underwood said. "It's becoming Southern Cal's problem."

Underwood didn't blame USC; the phenomenon of money being funneled through agents to players in their youth is "impossible to control," he said.

But he did credit Huggins, who left K-State after one year to coach at West Virginia, with keeping the Wildcats out of the mess now enveloping USC. "It's a credit to Huggs that he did his due diligence."

So Mayo was too tainted for even a coach (with a checkered past in terms of NCAA problems) such as Huggins?

And yet Floyd jumped all over him? Gotta love the "gap closers." lol

GO BRUINS.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Says a lot

If Huggins won’t even touch a player because of his checkered past… That’s like Tarkanian turning someone down because they lack sufficient literary skills.

I would imagine Timmeh went to Mike Garrett and said, “What should I do with this guy?”

And MG said, “Just follow our football coach’s lead and your legacy will be set. Take him.”

“Will do. Hooray!”

Cheat on, trOJies.

Formerly UCLA Class of 86

by Class of 86 on May 25, 2008 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

Following the football coach's lead?

Timmeh enlisted Pom Pom to give OJ the Trojan “pitch:

Floyd solicited the help of a coach more familiar with five-star recruits. Pete Carroll, the U.S.C. football coach, gave Mayo his pitch. As usual, it worked.

That was in the New York Times.

by Nestor on May 25, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm shocked, Rickie, shocked!

Gambling in this establishment!

by Fox 71 on May 25, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

Great!

Your winnings, Mr Mayo.

And yours, Mr Bush.

(love the look Rick gives the guy who hands Louie the money)

greg in denver

by gbruin on May 26, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

That guy was a great VCA

VCA = Veteran Character Actor—S.Z. Sakall. The original cast for Casablanca was supposed to be George Raft as Rick and Ann Sheridan as Ilsa. It’s hard to think of anyone else in those roles now, but Bogey and Bergman were not the first choices.

by Fox 71 on May 26, 2008 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep, my point exactly

I have several thoughts on this whole Garrett-Pom Pom-Timmeh love triangle that I’d like to put up as a diary (or fanpost) soon if I have the time. The whole thing stinks to high heaven, and very few in the MSM have even bothered to question it.

Formerly UCLA Class of 86

by Class of 86 on May 25, 2008 6:12 PM PDT reply actions