Memphis makes case for leniency, now time to wait

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The University of Memphis has made its case for leniency in the NCAA's punishment of the men's basketball team. Now it's time to wait and see if it worked.

The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee heard Memphis' arguments Friday in a closed hearing that ended at noon in Indianapolis. Memphis President R.C. Johnson refused to comment after the hearing. The NCAA will not comment until the report is released in four to six weeks.

Memphis argued in papers filed with the NCAA that the school is improperly being held responsible for an ineligible player, thought to be Bulls guard Derrick Rose, despite the NCAA's clearinghouse checking his eligibility twice. At stake is the 38 wins from the 2007-08 season that ended with an overtime loss to Kansas in the national title game.

The NCAA retroactively canceled Rose's SAT score, making him ineligible for his freshman season, when Rose led the Tigers to the NCAA title game. Memphis has appealed the ruling.

The NCAA infractions report, which is posted on the Memphis Commercial-Appeal Web site, does not list any direct proof that Rose had someone else take the SAT exam for him. Rose is not mentioned by name, but the report states the athlete in question attended high school in Chicago.