Updating The Sam Cassell Jr. Situation

Sam Cassell Jr. is at the center of an NCAA eligibility investigation as we previously noted here on TerrapinStationMD.com. Today, some more details as to why Cassell Jr.’s eligibility has come under the microscope of the NCAA came to light.

According to a report from Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports this investigation is focused on classes Cassell Jr. had taken at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The prep school has since been added to the NCAA “watch list”.

Because of this, the core classes that Cassell Jr. took during his senior year are now under review. While the NCAA looks into this issue Cassell Jr. will not be able to participate in practices or games for the Maryland men’s basketball team. Barring the NCAA approving Cassell Jr.’s last minute appeal it doesn’t appear that he will be a part of the Terrapins team this season.

What is interesting about this situation is that at the time the classes in question were taken Notre Dame Prep was not on the NCAA “Watch list”. In fact, numerous members of the Notre Dame Prep basketball program that graduated the year before Cassell Jr. and went on to accept Division One scholarships took the same core curriculum during their senior year and had no issues with the NCAA concerning their eligibility.

Like I said in my last post on this it is hard to predict what the NCAA will do in cases concerning player eligibility. Because his former teammates were allowed to play right away as freshman this season Cassell Jr. might have a case to get this overturned. It might not be a great one but in the words of Lloyd Christmas “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”.