Arizona Basketball: NCAA Commission on College Basketball misses the mark

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 16: The NCAA logo is seen in the second half of the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 16: The NCAA logo is seen in the second half of the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 18: A detail of the March Madness basketball logo as seen during the first half between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second round of the 2018 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 18: A detail of the March Madness basketball logo as seen during the first half between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second round of the 2018 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 4 College basketball coaches and programs can no longer risk it all.

One area the committee didn’t hold back on was in regards to punishments for coaches and programs caught cheating.

The Commission on College of Basketball recommended a possible lifetime ban for coaches who are caught cheating. Yes, a lifetime ban.

Instead of the typical one-year postseason ban we often see, the committee suggested a five-year ban from the postseason. It’s easy to accept a one-year ban. More than likely the team can rebuild and regroup in time to make another run.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Arizona Wildcats Basketball /

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

A five-year ban is essentially a mini death penalty. The amount of revenue lost would be a financial nightmare. Although athletic departments rely a lot on sponsorship and conference contracts, no business office would ask for a post-season ban more than one year.

Recruiting losses taken during the five years would be detrimental to any program. With a one-year ban, a program will lose out on the one-and-done kids. They want to play for a team who will give them exposure, and there is no bigger stage than the NCAA Tournament.

But a five-year ban? You can kiss 2-4 year players goodbye as well. Sure they’ll still play for the regular season and conference titles. But what kid doesn’t want to play on the biggest stage?

These recommendations for harsher penalties will scare coaches, athletic departments and even apparel companies everywhere. If you cheat, everyone will suffer dramatically. Apparel companies don’t want to be associated with a client who isn’t able to market their brand on a national stage like the tournament.