After recent revelations about the University of North Carolina academic scandal made by Rashad McCants revealed that the issue stretches back to the basketball program as well, the NCAA has reopened its investigation into the UNC athletic department.
While McCants' recent admission wasn't cited as a reason for the NCAA backtracking on the finality of its UNC findings, it certainly couldn't have helped.
"The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was cited by the Division I Committee on Infractions in 2012 for violations in its athletics program, including academic misconduct," the NCAA said in a statement announcing the revving up of its re-investigation. "As with any case, the NCAA enforcement staff makes clear it will revisit the matter if additional information becomes available. After determining that additional people with information and others who were previously uncooperative might be willing to speak with the enforcement staff, the NCAA has reopened its investigation.
"The enforcement staff is exploring this new information to ensure an exhaustive investigation is conducted based on all available information. The NCAA will not comment further to protect the integrity of the investigation."
The decision may also involve former faculty member Julius Nyang'oro who is succinctly reportedly cooperating with UNC's independent investigator Kenneth Weinstein in exchange for getting felony criminal fraud charges related to the academic scandal dropped.
The NCAA recently sanctioned the football program in 2012 with a postseason ban and a loss of scholarships as a result of the aforementioned improprieties while an independent investigation into UNC found an issue with grade fixing in 54 African American Studies courses between 2007 and 2012. However, it appears the NCAA is intent on determining if the fraud goes beyond the football program.
Former UNC point guard and TNT Inside The NBA analyst Kenny Smith recently discussed the ongoing scandal at UNC with TSL Talk Radio.
