How Teams Stand After FBI Investigation

     The conclusion of an FBI investigation charging four assistant college basketball coaches of bribery and fraud shocked the sports world last month, leading to four different schools firing assistant coaches for their involvement in the scandal as well as Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino. Adidas paid big money to coaches to influence top recruits to play for schools affiliated with their brand, one of those schools being Louisville.

     In this article, I want to look at the five schools affected by this investigation, and give you, the reader, a good look at what exactly to expect this season from these schools. 

Louisville Cardinals

How they were involved - Louisville was an Adidas sponsored school that paid families of top recruits over $150,000 to make sure that these players committed to Louisville. With the sanctions already laid on Louisville from the prostitutes scandal, the Cardinals Athletic Department felt it was time to let Pitino go and find another, less troubled coach. 

What they lost - Pitino was first put on leave before the school decided four days later that they were going to fire the legendary coach, as well as Athletic Director Tom Jurich. Assistant Coach Jordan Fair was fired without cause, and another assistant, Kenny Johnson, was placed on Administrative Leave. 

What's going on - Assistant Coach David Padgett has been named the interim coach, and has Tyler Johnson hired as his assistant. Louisville has not lost any commitments due to these actions or their involvement in the scandal. 

     Louisville lost their star player from last season, Donovan Mitchell, to the NBA Draft. However, they return two players, Guard Quentin Snider and Guard/Forward Deng Adel, who both averaged 30 Minutes a game and scored more then 12 points per game. Another three players return who payed more then 10 minutes a game, and add Forward Brian Bowen and Center Malik Williams to the team as incoming freshman. Louisville could very well still have a top 5 offense this season, and shouldn't have much of a problem rebounding the ball. 

Auburn Tigers 

How they were involved - Assistant Coach Chuck Person, a former NBA player and Auburn Alumni, was arrested on distributing $141,500 to players on bribes. He is currently suspended without pay.

What they lost - A lot of respect and admiration. Auburn has offered season ticket holders full refunds to appease anyone who will no longer go to Auburn basketball games. A high profile recruit has already decommitted. 

What's going on - Nothing too much, Person is suspended without pay and Auburn is trying to focus on the upcoming season. 

     Auburn has been slowly turning their program around over the 3 seasons under Bruce Pearl, who is no stranger to trouble himself. This is the season that Auburn has been waiting on, returning 11 players who played in a game last season, with a good shot at getting to the tournament themselves. Now with extra media attention and pressure, Auburn might be good enough to turn up in the NIT. 

Arizona Widcats

How they were involved - Assistant Coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson was arrested by the FBI charged with giving a player a $5,000 bribe to play with the Wildcats. He is currently suspended without pay. 

What they lost - A 5 star Point Guard prospect who was committed to the school decommitted and decided to take his talents elsewhere. 

What's going on - Arizona has a shot to win a national title this season, and they remain focused on that chance. 

     Arizona returns a preseason All-American in Alonzo Trier and the top offense in the nation, making Arizona a huge threat to the PAC-12. Without a valuable assistant coach, we will see how Arizona can rebound and take on the challenge. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys

How they were involved - Assistant coach Lamont Evans, a crucial part of South Carolina's Final Four run last season, was charged with taking $22,000 of bribe money to influence "certain student-athletes". 

What they lost - Not too much. Evans hadn't really started coaching at Oklahoma State quite yet, so his arrest and firing doesn't impact the school's program very much. 

What's going on - Evans was fired and Oklahoma State moves on as nothing is wrong. 

     Oklahoma State is in a rebuild mode Head Coach Mike Boynton enters his first season as their head coach. They return 10 players who played in a game last season, and have taken 2 transfers from other schools. Oklahoma State looks ready to rebuild and get ready to contend again. 

USC Trojans 

How they were involved - Assistant coach Tony Bland has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, soliciting a bribe and wire fraud. Bland provided $9,000 to two current student-athlete's families and has been suspended. 

What they lost - A lot of respect. Lindy's Sports Previews ran a special in this year's preview on the rise of USC basketball, and I'm pretty sure they wish they could retract it. 

What's going on - The USC players who's families were paid money will not be revealed and will play normally.

     USC looks to shake off these distractions and focus on obtaining their first shot at the Final 4 since 1954. They have a very talented team and are returning 4 starters who all scored more then 10 PPG last season. It's a promising time for USC as long as they can get over the media.