With Alabama basketball planning to play Charles Bediako on Saturday against Tennessee, some have suggested that the NCAA take retaliatory action against the Crimson Tide. A judge in Tuscaloosa granted Bediako a temporary restraining order allowing him to play for UA despite having previously gone through the NBA Draft, played in the G-League for multiple years and signed a two-way NBA contract.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope was one who suggested the organization punish Alabama by disallowing every game Bediako plays toward the NCAA Tournament. On Friday, during his first press conference since Bediako sued the NCAA, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats said he wasn’t concerned about potential retaliation.
“No, none” Oats said. “There’s been constant contact with our administration, compliance, so there’s no concern with that.”
Bediako sued the NCAA Tuesday in Tuscaloosa Circuit Court. He requested both temporary and permanent injunctions allowing him to play out the rest of the season.
On Wednesday, Judge Jim Roberts, who is listed as a UA donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website, granted the TRO that will allow Bediako to play until a Tuesday hearing at least. Oats confirmed on Friday that he plans on using Bediako on Saturday against the Volunteers.
“The system is clearly broken and I’m all for figuring out a way to fix it,” Oats said. “But since the NCAA has already allowing professionals to play for virtually every team we play this year, or will play– has a professional player on the roster, you tell me how I’m supposed to tell Charles and the team that we’re not going to support them when he’s been deemed legally eligible to play.”
The TRO issued prohibits the NCAA from punishing Alabama or Bediako for the situation.
“The Defendant, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Inc. is further restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting, or implying any penalties or sanctions on Mr. Bediako or the University of Alabama or its coaches or other student-athletes as a result of Mr. Bediako’s participation in Division I athletics competition,” the order reads.
Alabama and Tennessee are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday at Coleman Coliseum. The game will be aired on ESPN.