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PROVO -- Just weeks before Selection Sunday, the news of BYU basketball sophomore Brandon Davies being dismissed from the team because of an honor code violation sent shockwaves through the nation.
Days after the Cougars jumped four spots to No. 3 in the AP and ESPN/Coaches Poll, BYU announced that Davies would be ineligible for the remainder of the season. With speculation circling around BYU in serious contention for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, the news could not have come at a worse time.
In what is arguably the best basketball season in Cougar history, many are questioning the Cougars' chances for the remainder of the season.
Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi of ESPN believes that BYU's remaining two games and how the team adjusts in the Mountain West Conference tournament will determine their fate going into Selection Sunday.
"The committee will closely monitor BYU in its games without Davies," Lunardi writes. "While it may seem inevitable for the Cougars to decline in his absence, the committee cannot presume that. Their level of play and ability to win must actually be proved to be compromised before any negative action can be taken."
Pat Forde of ESPN.com agrees.
"Whether BYU can replace Davies effectively—and prove to the committee that it has, all in the two short weeks between now and selection Sunday—will be the difference between a dream season and a very good, if slightly disappointing, one," writes Forde.
With a potential NCAA Championship on the line, many have questioned BYU's actions to suspend Davies in the middle of the season; asking the school to give Davies a little leeway in the matter. However, BYU has never differentiated between athlete and traditional student in matters concerning the honor code.
BYU is no respector of persons.
ESPN's Chris Broussard commends BYU for taking a stand against Davies.
"I like their rules," Broussard said. "Most programs on their level will sell their souls to win games. They're saying there are some things that are more important than a game. They're teaching you how to be a man."
Everyone that attends BYU knows going into the school that they have to obey the honor code; it comes as no surprise to those that want to attend. Although many feel bad for Davies having to leave in such an unfortunate situation, Davies knew what he was getting himself into when choosing to play for the Cougars.
"It might be crazy to you or me or anybody else, but not to them," said Jim Rome on ESPN's Rome is Burning. "They know what they're signing up for. Every single year they have to sign that code. They know exactly what's expected of them."
Because BYU officials acted so quickly into Davies' violation, it is believed that the violation was not a small issue.
Although the absence of Davies comes as a major blow to the team, the Cougars still have time to prove that they can play, showing the committee what the team has to offer. BYU's first test will come Wednesday night as the Cougars look to even the score against New Mexico, the only team to beat the Cougars in conference play.
Davies was averaging 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, with an absolute defensive presence under the glass. His ability to rebound, block shots, and score points will be something the Cougars will miss.
The Cougars will look to make a major adjustment to the roster, moving to a smaller lineup to push the ball up court with an already quick BYU team. The smaller roster will likely give senior guard Jimmer Fredette more shot opportunities.
It is likely BYU will have to rely more heavily on Stephen Rogers and James Anderson, with Charles Abouo possibly shifting to power forward.
Honor Code Statement
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men ... . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things (Thirteenth Article of Faith).
As a matter of personal commitment, faculty, administration, staff, and students of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will
Be honest
Live a chaste and virtuous life
Obey the law and all campus policies
Use clean language
Respect others
Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse
Participate regularly in church services
Observe the Dress and Grooming Standards
Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code
Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement. (Refer to institutional policies for more detailed information.)
Good Honor Code Standing
Students must be in good Honor Code standing to be admitted to, continue enrollment at, and graduate from BYU. The term "good Honor Code standing" means that a student's conduct is consistent with the Honor Code and the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Excommunication, disfellowshipment, or disaffiliation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints automatically results in the loss of good Honor Code standing. Further, a student is not in good Honor Code standing if his or her ecclesiastical endorsement has either lapsed or has been withdrawn, or if the Honor Code Office has placed a "hold" on the student's records.
All students, upon admission to BYU, are required to observe the standards of the Honor Code at all times, whether on or off campus. When the Honor Code Office receives reports of misconduct prior to a prospective student's admission or readmission, those reports are referred to the Admissions Office for appropriate action. When the Honor Code Office receives reports of student misconduct after admission or readmission, but before registration for classes, the Honor Code Office typically notifies the student, indicating that a "hold" will be placed on the student's registration if the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Honor Code Office by a specified date. The Honor Code Office also reserves the right to place a "hold" on the record of any student based on reports of student misconduct prior to notifying the student.
E-mail: jfurlong@ksl.com
