Clemson Basketball: closed/secret scrimmage vs. Georgia

This past weekend the Tigers played a closed practice scrimmage against Georgia in Athens. The practice scrimmage is an odd event, as it seems to be counter intuitive to the NCAA basketball moneymaking scheme(s).

The practice scrimmage and its restrictions as defined as defined and outlined by the NCAA are as follows: Practice Scrimmage. An informal practice scrimmage with outside competition, provided it is on conducted in privacy without official scoring. Individuals other than athletics department staff members and those necessary to conduct basketball practice scrimmage against outside competition may not be present during such a scrimmage. The institution shall ensure that the scrimmage is free from public view. In women's basketball, an institution may play two practice scrimmages during an year it does not use either of the exemptions set forth in Bylaw 17.5.5.3.1-(fg) or 17.5.5.3.1-(gh) or may play one practice scrimmage and either one exhibition contest against a foreign team in the United States or one exhibition contest against a "club" member of USA Basketball. In men's basketball, an institution may play two practice scrimmages during any year it does not use the exemption set forth in Bylaw 17.5.5.3.1-(hi), or may play one practice scrimmage and one exhibition contest against a non-NCAA Division I four-year collegiate institution. [?]

This seems an archaic rule founded by the royal and ancient societies governing such events. I understand the need to keep restrictions on teams, as many would surely take advantage of any visible loophole. However, this policy is out-of-step with the current practices concerning publicity and money generating. The NCAA and its constituent institutions are missing out on a revenue stream- er, trickle, here.

The insistence on keeping these scrimmages private and creating some air of regulatory decency and concern for student athletes is a diversion tactic. The entire NCAA basketball season runs counter to everything the NCAA supposed upholds in their support of the student athlete. I guess preventing the public from viewing these practice scrimmages makes the games not really games, and in so doing keeps the number of 'games' to a minimum, in keeping, of course, with their ever-enduring support of student-athletes.

For, even this past weekend, UNC, gods of all things basketball and basketball compliance-related, held their own secret practice scrimmage. Duke did not.

Concerning the Tigers, they supposedly pressed, missed their shots, and Georgia is not a good team. This does not provide much, but I'm sure the practice was valuable to all those personally involved.

Also this week, KC Rivers, as expected, was named this year's team captain.