Memphis Basketball Program Must Forfeit Record 2007-2008 Season

The result of the NCAA investigation was the loss of a record season by the Memphis basketball program. The Tigers had an impressive season in 2007-2008 with a school record 38 wins. A 26 game win streak and were perfect (16-0) in their conference, Conference USA.

Most impressively was their trip to the Final Four. They ended up finishing second to Kansas in a thriller of a championship game. The record books will not reflect any of those accomplishments for the Memphis basketball program now.

The most serious infraction that the NCAA have cited had to do with a player having a stand-in take his SAT for him. This player has been reported as former Memphis basketball start, Derrick Rose. This made Rose ineligible for the season. The ironic fact that has come out is that Rose allegedly took his SAT in Detroit and not in his hometown of Chicago only about a month before enrolling in Memphis.

Rose left Memphis at the end of the year and was Chicago Bulls’ first pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He was also the NBA Rookie of the year last season.

Another infraction the program was cited for was not being reimbursed for travel expenses by a family member of a player. It is reported that it was Reggie Rose, Derrick Rose’s brother. During the investigation it was discovered that the program had not been reimbursed for over $2,000 for travel expenses incurred when Reggie Rose traveled with the Memphis basketball team.

The Memphis basketball program has had it troubles with NCAA infractions before. Their 1985 Final Four appearance was also taken away.

Coach John Calipari was the coach for the Memphis basketball team during the 2007-2008 season. He has since left and is now coaching at Kentucky. This is Calipari’s second Final Four appearance taken away as well. His first was for the 1996 Final Four when his UMASS team had their appearance stripped due to a player taking money from an agent.

Memphis must return to the NCAA the money and trophy from the 2008 Final Four and the athletic department has been place on probation for the next three years. The current Memphis basketball team will not face any sanctions.

It was a dark day in Memphis today.