Memphis Tigers Self-Report NCAA Violation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis has self-reported a violation to the NCAA stemming from a visit that Tigers Head Coach Josh Pastner made to Minnesota last week.

Memphis spokesman Lamar Chance confirmed Thursday to The Associated Press the school had reported the secondary violation to the NCAA.

The violation is considered secondary, but let us not forget that the Basketball program is currently on NCAA probation. Pastner was in Minnesota recruiting at a summer AAU Tournament, and while there, stopped by the Howard Pulley Pro-Am League where he watched Trevor Mbakwe play.

Mbakwe is the 6'8" 240 pound junior forward who was suspended all of last season from the University of Minnesota while awaiting trial on a felony assault charge in Miami. He has asked Minnesota to release him from his scholarship if the NCAA grants him a waiver allowing him to play elsewhere next season. Transfers normally need to sit out a year. Mbakwe has not received word on his request.

Gophers head coach Tubby Smith told a Minnesota Newspaper reporter that Pastner broke an NCAA rule by being there but feels it was a misunderstanding. Pastner, who would not comment, was reportedly cleared to attend the game by Memphis Compliance Officer Nicole Green.

"I think they probably misunderstood what the rules were," Smith said. "It might have been miscommunication or something. I don't know."

Lynn Parkes, associate athletics director for Memphis wrote Wednesday in an e-mail to the Minnesota Pioneer Press, "We have submitted a report of this to both the NCAA and C-USA offices."

Mbakwe has already made an official visit to Memphis and continues to be on the Tigers' radar if he is not convicted of the charges that he faces in court later this summer.