The Ivy League and Harvard announced yesterday they will review the possibility that the Crimson men's basketball program committed recruiting violations, according to a report in The
The league released a statement after an article in the Times Sunday described how Kenny Blakeney, now a Crimson assistant coach, visited two Harvard recruits and played pickup basketball with them when contact with recruits was prohibited. One of the recruits said the visit occurred before Blakeney joined Harvard coach Tommy Amaker's staff, but that would still be against NCAA rules.
"We're going to do what needs to be done, and it's going to be done in a timely way," said Jeff Orleans, the Ivy League executive director.
Last week, some Ivy coaches expressed skepticism over the league's ability and incentive to handle recruiting issues at Harvard. They cited multiple instances that popped up over the summer that brought no action from the league.
The only league athletic director who responded to a request for an interview, Yale's Thomas A. Beckett, said he believed the matter would be handled fairly.
"I think that there are some very bright and very caring people that have worked very hard over many years and decades to make sure the league is operating properly," Beckett said. "I have full confidence that this will be handled properly and the league will do the right thing, as will Harvard."
Men
UNC 90, Florida St. 77 - Tyler Hansbrough had 20 points and Ty Lawson added 10 to help the No. 1 Tar Heels (28-2, 13-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) roll over the visiting Seminoles.
Ohio St. 80, Purdue 77 - Othello Hunter hit two key foul shots in overtime and Jamar Butler scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half as the Buckeyes (18-12, 9-8) upset the No. 15 Boilermakers (23-7, 14-3) in a Big Ten showdown at Columbus, Ohio.
Texas 70, Nebraska 66 - D.J. Augustin scored 22 points and the No. 9 Longhorns (25-5, 12-3 Big 12) went 6 for 6 from the free throw line in the final minute to hold off the Huskers in Austin, Texas.
Women
Northeast-10 - A pair of free throws by Erica Stupinski with 1:12 remaining in overtime gave Stonehill the lead for good and carried the Skyhawks to a 65-60 victory over visiting Southern Connecticut State in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. Kelsey Simonds had 24 points and Stupinski dispensed 10 assists for 11th-ranked Stonehill (25-4). The Skyhawks will meet Bentley in Friday's semifinal . . . Guard Ashley Bruton scored 16 points and Bentley (19-9) opened a 38-10 halftime lead and cruised to 61-38 quarterfinal victory over AIC at Waltham. Erica Erwin added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Falcons . . . Kelsey O'Keefe scored 15 points and Cara Johnson added 13 to lift Bryant (19-10) to a 64-58 victory over Assumption in Worcester. The Bulldogs will face Franklin Pierce in the semis . . . Johannah Leedham and her sister Jennifer each had 17 points as host Franklin Pierce (24-4) edged Le Moyne, 54-53.
