More trouble for UNC? This time the Hansbrough's involved

((ht: newsobserver.com))

Didn't North Carolina once have a pristine reputation as a school that played by the rules at any cost? That time seems so long ago.

We and many others have reported extensively on the NCAA issues with the football program. They go back several years and seemingly get deeper by the day.

Now Basketball is involved.

The scandal involves the mother of former UNC basketball star Tyler Hansbrough. The Raleigh News-Observer has discovered that Tami Hansbrough resigned from her $95K a year job a a "Fundraiser" for the school.

She apparently resigned after an investigation shows she took boatloads of personal trips on the school's dime. And the scandal has claimed the job of the school's chief fundraiser, former QB Matt Kupec too.

You really should read the News-Observers story on this RIGHT HERE

It sure appears that Tami Hansbrough got a job to be near her son...and it evolved into a relationship with Kupec and an opportunity for her to travel to Tyler's games. On the University's dime. She also managed to work in trips to son Ben's games at Notre Dame too. Again out of UNC's pocket.

For their part, the school insists this has nothing to do with any of the ongoing athletics academic fraud investigation. They say it had nothing to do with Sports...at all.

We say "Bull-poopie". UNC finally got caught. We aren't saying THIS investigation is part of a huge conspiracy, rather we say it's part of a culture of coddling and doing anything to help the athletes. That's right, a different set of rules for the Jocks.

The NCAA investigation continues and we think if they every get around to finishing it, North Carolina is in DEEP trouble. Whether Tami Hansbrough was hired to help coddle Tyler and so she could go to his games is only a small branch on a larger tree. It appears, at least on the surface, that the school was willing to do whatever it took to make the athletes happy. If it meant fixing grades, so be it. If it meant playing ineligible football players, that seemingly was OK too.

We'll wait, like everyone else and see how this unfolds, but if you are a fan of the team in Chapel Hill, you should be worried.

Very worried.

DEVELOPING: Haslem and Pittman Suspended

From Stu Jackson his own self...

Miami Heat center Dexter Pittman has been suspended three games without pay for striking the neck and shoulders of Indiana guard Lance Stephenson, and Miami forward Udonis Haslem has been suspended one game without pay for striking the head and shoulders of Indiana’s Tyler Hansbrough, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Both Pittman and Haslem had their Flagrant Foul Ones upgraded to Flagrant Foul Twos, as did Indiana’s Hansbrough, who struck the head of Miami’s Dwyane Wade on a foul that occurred shortly before Haslem's foul.

The incidents occurred during the Heat’s 115-83 victory over the Pacers on May 22 at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Haslem will serve his suspension on Thursday when the Pacers host the Heat in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Pittman will begin serving his suspension in Game 6.

The HQ figured you had to give Haslem one game for his retaliation on the Wade hit, but Pittman's wink after knowing he popped someone in the throat was about right. Pittman had no history and could only get three...

Here's your recap on Pittman...
((HT: NBA on TNT/youtube))

Udonis Haslem... Hassan Chop...

Apparently, this is only a "Flagrant 1..."

Then, what is a "Flagrant 2...?"
Jus' axin... as is, we're sure Tyler Hansbrough...
((HT: NBA on TNT/nbaus3030))