More questions than answers on Pope situation

Boy are we confused. Just what happened?

Regardless of when Herb Pope decided attending school and playing college basketball closer to home was his preference, he had to know that the NCAA wasn't going to push his particular case to the front of the line -- that being his asking for a waiver to play right away at his new school.

According to news reports, Pope received the legal okay from New Mexico State to formally visit east coast schools (or maybe it was clearly defined which particular ones) last week, that period of time being August 18-22.

So Pope -- either informed by those around him or by Seton Hall and possibly Duquesne officials if he indeed made a visit to the latter -- that any transfer to the Pirates or Dukes was not going to be a fully done deal. Heck, it's doubtful that the NCAA would issue a ruling by the opening day of this year's college basketball season let alone in the next week or so.

If it was Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA or some other mega-basketball program, then the NCAA might take marching orders. Sorry but Seton Hall and Duquesne do not have that kind of cachet.

So it has to be a given that Pope entered into his search or very soon thereafter was aware that an approval waiver was no sure thing and that the odds were he would be sitting out the 2008-2009 season as a transfer redshirt.

Why did he proceed?

That's the element we can't determine.

Anyone got the answers?

Teddy Feinberg, the sports editor for the Las Cruces Sun-News on 8/27/2008 wrote an article about the situation, including:

"...Boston clarified [about Pope's release], saying that NMSU is allowing Pope to explore his options on the East Coast, presuming that the NCAA will grant the player a hardship waiver. The waiver would allow Pope to resume play next year instead of sitting out an extra season due to NCAA regulations on transfer students. If Pope is not granted the waiver, he will return to the Aggies for the 2008-09 season..."

Again, Boston had to know no swift NCAA decision would be forthcoming so why bother with the qualified release, knowing nothing would come of it? Why not tell Pope not to bother with his wish to move closer to home? Did Pope insist on it anyway?

The mystery continues.

Here's Gary Parrish of CBSSports with an opinion piece today. He comes off a little too harsh on Pope for our taste and doesn't explore the matters of our questions above:

Hoping Pope changes ways might be a lost cause
Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
August 29, 2008

Herb Pope is returning to New Mexico State.

But make no mistake, it's not what he wanted to do.

He wanted to transfer closer to home -- perhaps to Seton Hall, where he visited recently after asking New Mexico State for a release. But faced with the reality of having to sit out a year once the NCAA likely denied a waiver for immediate eligibility requested because of an undisclosed "personal" issue, Pope informed the Aggies' staff Friday morning that he plans to enroll in classes at NMSU and proceed as planned.

Consequently, this month-long roller coaster is over.

But only temporarily...

. Go here for the remainder.