Oh, well, it was nice while it lasted.



After an interminable offseason filled with controversies, investigations and politics, college basketball finally tipped off on Tuesday with a delightfully deep schedule of quality games. One of the notable contests took place in Memphis, where the Tigers’ uber-talented 7-1 freshman forward James Wiseman had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks in a win over South Carolina State. Wiseman’s performance was cause for genuine excitement, not only for Memphis but the entire sport.



Now, it seems, Wiseman will be the source of still more controversy, still more politics, still more airing of the tiresome debates about the fairness of the NCAA rulebook. The frustrating part is that Memphis coach Penny Hardaway brought on this situation by exercising bad judgment. As a result his program, and his star freshman, could very well pay the price.



The basic facts here are not in dispute. Penny Hardaway played for Memphis.