ALI ALI ....

[RoyalBlu]

Hours before the season opener I'm guessing the best-case scenario for the Zips and Ali Ali is he will be cleared by the NCAA to play starting the second semester.  Rumored transfer issues re: academics seems to hold some water at this point as he would have been cleared to play long before now if he was a grad student, either at the time of his transfer or at the end of the summer sessions.

 

What's not known is if there were any extenuating circumstances that played to Akron/Ali's benefit with the NCAA to grant immediate eligibility with a second transfer. Traditionally this would be transferring back to his home state to be closer to family for any number of reasons. BUT, Ali is transferring away from his home state to be back at Akron. Which is against the norm. Also what's not known is how much or how little Butler is helping this process, although Groce and Butler coach Matta have a long-standing relationship.

 

Whatever the outcome, overall, typical NCAA foot-dragging that does not seem to happen much further up the D1 totem pole.

 

Then again, Ali could be cleared to play by game time tonight!!!

 

 

[Sergeant Zip]

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

So is he eligible after finals week? Or does he wait until fall 2024?

[RowdyZip]

Can we just lawyer up like UC did for Bandaogo?

[Captain Kangaroo]

36 minutes ago, RowdyZip said:

Can we just lawyer up like UC did for Bandaogo?

He did have an attorney. I guess just not one as good as Aziz’s.

[1981 grad]

That is not a surprise to me.  He decided to leave and then decided that it was a mistake.  Even if he had an attorney, I fail to see the argument about a hardship.  I hope he graduates and becomes a grad transfer after first semester is completed.

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

So is he eligible after finals week? Or does he wait until fall 2024?

I suspect it's like any other transfer where he can come in mid-season if eligible.  To become eligible as a grad transfer:

1) You must graduate from your current college/university. 
2) Have at least one year of eligibility on your five-year clock. 
3) You must be going to a graduate school that has your sport.

 

He better have already been approved for UA grad school! 

[Zippy87]

1 hour ago, 1981 grad said:

That is not a surprise to me.  He decided to leave and then decided that it was a mistake.  Even if he had an attorney, I fail to see the argument about a hardship.  I hope he graduates and becomes a grad transfer after first semester is completed.

 

What was the argument for Aziz?

[LoyalZIP]

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Beyond the merits of Ali's case, he announced his transfer on May 4th.  202 and two days have elapsed since then.  That's a ridiculous delay.  The NCAA is becoming more of a joke every day.  All the while they look the other way and accept half assed compromise settlements and self imposed penalties for blatant cheaters like Bill Self.

[1981 grad]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

 

What was the argument for Aziz?

I did not know that Ali had any mental health issues.  So there was an issue for them to consider.

[RoyalBlu]

I would ask if his mental health issue was documented when he left Akron for Butler ... or was his mental health issue documented after he left Butler to return to Akron?

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Was Bilas his attorney?

[Zipmeister]

9 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Was Bilas his attorney?

 

If Ali did sign Bilas as his attorney, it could be argued that that action right there speaks to Ali's mental health issues.

[RoyalBlu]

I do wonder ... the tone of Groce's statement and saying 'more to come' when the team returns has me thinking the NCAA was Ali's only chance for this season. No mention of second semester eligibility as a grad student, which hints that academic concerns were more daunting than initially thought. The key now is not let this situation become a team distraction going into the new year.

 

If there is a strong appeal, make it. If not, focus on the challenge at hand. Akron still considered a solid favorite to win the MAC. Tighten the belt and go for it.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Piecing this together, it sounds like Ali Ali struggled with mental health at some point - either prior to his Butler transfer or after his Butler transfer - and the mental health struggles affected or could have affected his academics. Akron is where he had/has the better support system, so he came back. At least this is what the argument seems to be. When Ali Ali missed that time last year with Butler, was that an actual injury, or was it mental health related? Something to think about.

 

According to this article, "a player can receive immediate eligibility if they have a physical injury or mental health condition that pushed them to transfer from a school." The new restrictions were approved on January 11th, and players crafted their transfer appeals to fit within these guidelines, especially the mental health angle. Jackson from FSU, Walker from UNC, and now Ali Ali. 

 

I agree with Bilas. The NCAA crafted guidelines that included mental health as an acceptable situation for immediate eligibility. That's a loosey goosey category that isn't very difficult to meet in today's society with mental health becoming more of a major focus. 

 

@clarkwgriswold Great point about the NCAA's involvement with Bill Self's seemingly 100th infraction/violation. 

 

People are tired of corrupt organizations/associations/committees/ruling bodies. The NCAA is towards the top of that list and they continue to grow the flaming torch & pitchfork mob that's against them. Pretty big that Bilas tweeted about this. Hopefully Pat McAfee can go on another epic rant against the NCAA on Monday about this. 

[Hilltopper]

Ali is a good student. Academics are not an issue. He is on track to graduate in the spring. If he had stayed at Butler that would not be the case. Coming back to Akron was a good move for him to get a degree. 

[1981 grad]

3 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

Ali is a good student. Academics are not an issue. He is on track to graduate in the spring. If he had stayed at Butler that would not be the case. Coming back to Akron was a good move for him to get a degree. 

If he is on track to graduate this spring then he will not qualify this year unless the NCAA changes their decision.  As the season progresses it might just be best for Ali to play next year.  

[clarkwgriswold]

The NCAA had better be awfully careful when making a call on the extent of someone's mental health issues, especially no that the kids are actually getting NIL benefits.  The mental health stuff opens all kinds of issues from discrimination to ADA with now the overlay of actually impacting a present right to make a living.

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Hilltopper said:

Ali is a good student. Academics are not an issue. He is on track to graduate in the spring. If he had stayed at Butler that would not be the case. Coming back to Akron was a good move for him to get a degree. 

 

I'd heard he had 8 hours to finish which would be completed this semester, but I heard it from the my cousin's friend whose sister's boyfriend has a mechanic that fixes the mowers for a guy that cuts John Groce's neighbor's lawn.  I suspect your info is a little less attenuated.

[clarkwgriswold]

3 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Hopefully Pat McAfee can go on another epic rant against the NCAA on Monday about this. 

 

I'm hoping for a more credible less belligerent non-professional wrestler voice to take up the cause!

[RoyalBlu]

2 hours ago, Hilltopper said:

Ali is a good student. Academics are not an issue. He is on track to graduate in the spring. If he had stayed at Butler that would not be the case. Coming back to Akron was a good move for him to get a degree. 

 Ali played his first three seasons at Akron (counting covid year), transferred to Butler for his fourth year. This is into his fifth year, and still not a graduate. I make no comment about his ability as a student, just pointing out his timeline. Next year will be his sixth year. The NCAA waived the covid year (2020-2021) for eligibility giving a great number of players an extra year of eligibility ... but also an extra year to graduate and become a grad student (based on a 4-year graduation clock).

 

[ewbrooman1]

9 hours ago, Zipmeister said:

 

If Ali did sign Bilas as his attorney, it could be argued that that action right there speaks to Ali's mental health issues.

Since Bilas is a lawyer who has won a noted case in Federal Court, a former top college player and widely respected college basketball analyst I think he'd be a good lawyer for Ali.

 

Ali started the season last year with a concussion and broken nose requiring surgery and had recurring concussion symptoms at the end of the year. Perhaps the mental health issues are wrapped up in that situation. Maybe he feels Akron is a better place to handle all that. Can't blame him. Let the kid play!

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by ewbrooman1

[Zippy87]

https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/basketball/report-ohio-attorney-general-writes-letter-to-ncaa-challenging-aziz-bandaogos-eligibility-denial

 

Maybe we can get some help?

[RoyalBlu]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/basketball/report-ohio-attorney-general-writes-letter-to-ncaa-challenging-aziz-bandaogos-eligibility-denial

 

Maybe we can get some help?

 

Just to show you how wacky this all is w/NCAA .... consider Bandaogo's argument. 1) If losing his head coach and mentor (Mark Madson went to Cal) was such a mental hardship, why didn't he follow Madsen to Cal? 2) And I understand this ia a greatly embellished press release https://gouvu.com/news/2023/4/6/mens-basketball-todd-phillips-named-utah-valley-mens-basketball-head-coach.aspx 

 

But it reads like the new Utah Valley head coach was the guy who did all the work with Bandaogo, and not Madsen. Anyway, the real power move was getting the Ohio AG to step in. If the Zips can get him to do the same, then there should be a chance for Ali this season.