The time has come for LSU to receive their notice of allegations related to violations in the men’s basketball and football programs. The notice of allegations stems from multiple cases, including LSU’s ties to the federal basketball investigation that became public in 2017. Les Miles was the football head coach. Will Wade had just started as a coach of the basketball team. The notice comes from the Complex Case Unit, part of the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. The company handles this and other cases for the NCAA. Details and specifics from the notice will not be released until LSU complies with open records requests.
The notice puts the future of the basketball program in further doubt. In March 2019, Wade was suspended from the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Wade was caught on a wiretap talking about a strong-ass offer to a recruit. Middleman Christian Dawkins said Wade was talking about money in the comment. Featured in an HBO documentary was the call. Dawkins is currently serving an 18-month sentence on bribery and conspiracy charges. Wade continues to downplay the report and documentary. In the wake of the initial fallout from Wade’s offer, then-LSU athletic director Joe Alleva stepped aside three days after he reinstated Wade as coach in April 2019.
LSU is in a similar situation as the Louisville basketball program. Due to past scandals, the current program is in a peculiar position. LSU was not a part of the FBI’s original investigation. But trial proceedings later revealed the info on Wade. Javonte Smart (the recruit in question) ended up signing with LSU.
The LSU case also involves football infractions. Former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr. is banned from the football facility for two years. He was caught on camera handing out $100 bills to players moments after LSU beat Clemson 42-25 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in New Orleans in January 2020.
