Auburn's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton remains eligible and keeps his award because the NCAA determined his father, Cecil Newton, acted alone in shopping his son to a number of schools before ultimately choosing Auburn.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is suspended one game for employing someone at a camp who at some point had direct contact with a recruit - but not at the camp.

Now-Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is free to go from school to school with no consequences even though each school he leaves always ends up facing sanctions.

Five Ohio State football players, including three starters, must sit out the team's first five games next season after it was discovered they sold awards, gifts and university apparel and received improper benefits in 2009. A sixth football student-athlete must sit out the first game in 2011 for receiving discounted services in violation of NCAA rules. If the suspension is upheld, Pryor's first game will be Oct. 8 against Nebraska.

NCAA makes rules as it goes
The NCAA says the players - Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting can still play Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl because of "inadequate rules education." Ohio State's first five games next year are against Akron, Toledo, at Miami (Fl.), Colorado and Michigan State.

The violations fall under the NCAA’s preferential treatment bylaws. They should fall under the NCAA's "We throw the hammer down when we want" bylaws.

The hypocrisy of the NCAA is astounding. How can that group even have a shred of credibility after it basically makes up rules as the situation allows?

The OSU players said the money earned from selling the items - Big Ten championship rings, jerseys, etc. - went to help their families. That's debatable, of course. What isn't debatable, though, is the lack of consistency in the NCAA rules.

In the case of Newton, all he needed to do was play dumb to maintain his eligibility. How stupid must Reggie Bush feel after he "voluntarily" returned his 2005 award? And why don't all these Buckeye players just say "My parents sold those things without my knowledge" so they, too, can maintain their eligibility?

The NCAA is displaying hypocrisy of the highest order.

"You can prostitute out your son to a bunch of schools. We'll let that go. You can be a certified dirtbag. We'll let that go. But don't do what all other celebrities do and use your name to get free stuff. We'll kill you for that."

If Ohio State is smart, it will look into similar occurrences and fight the ruling.

In 2002, a group of Georgia players sold SEC championship rings and was initially disciplined. But the NCAA didn't uphold suspensions because a rule on selling memorabilia wasn't clear.

Athletes are exploited
Money will always be an issue for college athletes. In the two biggest revenue-generating sports (basketball, football), most of the players come from nothing. That isn't to say they can use their families economic situation to break rules. But I sometimes understand why they do it.

Imagine walking around on a beautiful campus seeing people wearing a jersey featuring the number you wear as big as day on the front. Imagine playing in a stadium 7-8 times a fall in front of 112,000 people who came to see you. Then imagine not having money to take a girl out to dinner. Or not having enough cash to go in on a pizza with some of your boys.

At some point, you would think, "This school is making a mint off me. And I can't even take my girl out?"

The NCAA and these institutions can get rich off these kids and the kids get nothing. I hate the argument about the "student-athletes" getting a scholarship. The scholarship is great. I would have given anything to have had all my schooling paid for. But it'd also be great if all the athletes did something with those degree, like graduate. The whole concept of the student-athlete is a joke, but that's another issue.

Schools give out scholarships to science majors, too. And those science majors are allowed to work and take whatever they want from whoever they want. Both the athlete and the academic have to keep a certain grade-point average. And the academic has to keep a substantially higher GPA, I know. But the school isn't making millions off the academic. And 112,000 people aren't paying $50 a ticket to see the science major do a chemistry experiment.

Think about this: Ohio State annually brings in $20 million on tickets sales alone. But Pryor can't sell a ring given to him to, allegedly, help his mother out? How is that fair? How is it right some OSU players, allegedly, swapped autographs for tattoos that probably cost no more than $150, but those same players can take $500 worth of schwag from the sponsor of whatever bowl game they're in?

Reggie Bush made USC millions. The school wants nothing to do with him. But his coach, who likely knew about everything going on, is free to take any job he likes.

Chris Webber did the same for the University of Michigan, but he can't go on campus or even donate money for a few more years. I still see "MICHIGAN 4" jerseys every now and then. So what if there's no name on back. Had Rob Pelinka been No. 4, how many of those jerseys would the NCAA and school have sold?

Stipends may be the answer
With the Newton ruling, the NCAA may have opened Pandora's Box. Language in the rules should be revisited ASAP, or you'll have every recruit in the country on the take. What makes the Ohio State case even worse is the NCAA wants to punish these students when it doesn't cost the NCAA a dime. I could've sworn we lived in a capitalist society. Or am I wrong.

That capitalism may only be set up to benefit a few, though, since all the OSU players will be on the field for the team's bowl game against Arkansas. That's all about money, too. No way the NCAA and ESPN were going to risk the loss of ad revenue by not having Pryor on the field. But who cares about some early September game against Akron on the Big Ten Network, right? Again, it's perfectly acceptable for the NCAA and TV networks to line their pockets. But curse the kids who tries to make a few dollars!!!

A much simpler way to attempt to fix the problem is paying college athletes. Most of the cases have the players taking small amounts, anyway. Why not just pay them (olympic sport athletes included) a stipend each semester of, say, $1,500-$3,000? All they want the money for is a pair of sneakers and maybe to take a girl to see a movie.

A university typically has about 500 athletes. Let's say OSU paid all 500 $2,000 each semester. That would only add up to the school spending about $2,000,000 each year (Remember, OSU makes $20 million a year in ticket sales alone). I know there would be some players who wouldn't think that amount would suffice. Throw the book at those guys. But I'm inclined to believe those greedy players would think a little harder about the decision they make if they know it can kill long-term prospects.

To take it a step further, athletes who are "the face of a team," such as Pryor, should get royalties from jersey sales. Why should people who already have money be allowed to get richer, while these players are held back. Sure, Pryor could make millions in the NFL, but there's no guarantee of that.

Realistically, the only way to put a stop to all this is if someone successfully sues the NCAA. But how long would that court case last? Years.

Hypocrisy of the higher order. That's what the NCAA exhibits time and time again.

I guess I'm no better. Here I am calling the group to the carpet, yet I'm infatuated with the product they put out.

If the NCAA can ride both sides of the fence, so can I.

In the end, Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo opted to stay with the girl who has been so good to him for a number of years, and who he's had more highs than lows with instead of leaving for the new girl with the fake ... you know.

Izzo tonight said he'll be a Spartan for life. And with that, Spartan Nation breathed a big sigh of relief. Myself included.

A number of MSU alums and fans said they wouldn't be mad if Izzo, the winningest coach in the history of the school, did decide to take his coaching acumen to the NBA, but I wouldn't have believed any of them had they told me they wouldn't shed a tear.

But he didn't. Now, instead of putting his future in the hands of some grown men who may or may not take his coaching lessons to heart, Izzo will return to a lockerroom full of kids who know what listening to his lessons can lead to.

But what made Izzo, who has spent nearly enough time in East Lansing that he could earn a pension, decide to stay with the Green & White? Why didn't the fiery coach leave for "greener pastures."

What went through in mind during this process?

Was it the recruiting trips? One of which led him to a player he would name his first son after.

Was it the thought of leaving everything he's built in East Lansing, including the Berkowitz Basketball Complex?

Was it the desire to remain an institution in a city and state vs. becoming just a coach in a league?

Was it knowing that, by staying, he'd continue to help turn boys into men, teaching discipline and teamwork vs. babysitting millionaires who only care about themselves?

Was it the run he made to the Final Four with his team this spring?

Was it all the lessons all the players learned about each other and themselves during that run?

Was it knowing he'd be returning to the majority of the major parts of that team, which will likely be favored to win the 2011 National Championship?

Was it knowing winning that championship, his second, would put Izzo in select company?

Was it knowing he can get titles 3, 4, and 5 in short order?

Was it realizing college coaches are loved and remembered for ages and many things beyond winning, while pro coaches are known just for winning?

I'm sure all those things and then some went into Izzo's thought process. Whatever it was, he made the right decision.

Yesterday I wrote that I would totally understand if Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo left his job in East Lansing to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. With news coming out that Izzo is in Cleveland meeting with Cavs officials, it's looking more like Izzo is going to take his shot at coaching in the NBA.

I wouldn't be happy with it, but I'd understand. With the job he's done at MSU, turning it into a consistent winner and a nationally-recognized program, Izzo has earned the right to chase him dream.

But the cons may outweigh the pros. The biggest con may be the success rate of coaches who left winning college programs for NBA jobs.

Larry Brown, who has coached nearly every team in both the NCAA and NBA, is the only coach in history to win a title in both the NCAA (with Kansas in 1988) and the NBA (Detroit, 2004).

For every Larry Brown, there's 10 Tim Floyds. Izzo, who I believe to be the best coach in college basketball, has a chance to succeed like anyone else would. But the college and pro games are too different - which is a key reason in why great college coaches seemingly never live out their NBA contracts.

In college, your Xs and Os are vital to team success. The NBA in recent years has turned into an isolation league - pound the ball into the court for the first 17 seconds of the shot clock, then give it to your best player and hope he makes something happen.

In college, you can get away with screaming and yelling at 18-22-year-old kids. In the NBA, you're dealing with millionaires. Chances are that if a coach takes the Bob Knight approach with a guy like Carmelo Anthony, he'll be cleaning out his office shortly thereafter that encounter.

In college, players actually (for the most part) listen in huddles. In the NBA, players routinely tune out coaches to look at eye candy in the stands.

In college, you can put your players on curfew so they stay out of trouble (even though that may not always work.). In the NBA, you have no say over whether or not your star player is shooting off guns at 3 a.m. on a Thursday in the parking lot of a strip club.

In college, players don't get burnt out on coaches because they know they'll only have to deal with the guy for a maximum of four years. In the NBA, players turn on coaches all the time. The Pistons turned on Larry Brown a season after they won the NBA championship. The New Jersey Nets, one of the worst franchises in the history of the league, a season after it made back-to-back Finals appearances.

I'm sure Izzo will take his time in making this decision. And I'll support him no matter what he decides. But, based on past results, the odds are stacked against him succeeding.

At 55, Izzo may not have too many more chances to make the jump. If he feels like this is the best decision for he and his family, Izzo should make the move to the NBA.

It is better to try and fail than not try at all, after all.

There comes a time in a lot of relationships when one party feels the need to explore other options. This can be for any number of reasons - see what else is out there, see what life is like without the person you're leaving.

Sometimes a couple realizes they can't live without each other. Other instances result in the two going their separate ways.

That line of thinking extends beyond dating. It can also apply to business and employment. And this has to be playing a role in Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo's thinking while he is being courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Proven track record
Izzo has been a part of the MSU coaching staff since 1983. He took over head coaching duties from Jud Heathcoate - his mentor and confidante - in 1995. Since taking the reins 15 years ago, Izzo has made a helluva name for himself.

Izzo is currently the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten. He is the winningest coach in MSU history. In 1998, MSU began a streak of 13 straight NCAA tournament appearances, which is the 5th longest current streak among Division I teams. During that run only Kansas/North Carolina coach Roy Williams has as many NCAA tournament wins as Tom Izzo (35). Izzo also joins Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Pittsburgh/UCLA coach Ben Howland as the only three coaches that have made three consecutive Final Fours since the NCAA tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Izzo has coached his squads to six regular-season Big Ten championships, two Big Ten Tournament titles, six NCAA Final Four appearances, and one NCAA national championship - in 2000. Since he became head coach at MSU, every player he has recruited and who completed their full eligibility has gone to the Final Four. Eighty-two percent of his players who completed their eligibility left MSU with a degree.

No "What Ifs" allowed
It is because of all Izzo has accomplished in his time in my home away from home for five years - East Lansing - that I wouldn't be the least bit upset if he took the Cavs job he has reportedly been offered.

For all he has done for our basketball program, and school, Izzo has built up plenty of goodwill with the MSU fanbase and has earned the right to take a shot at coaching at the highest level in his profession - the NBA.

Sure, the odds of him succeeding are slim to none - if you look at the list of other college coaches who took the NBA plunge (only Larry Brown has won both an NCAA and NBA Title) - but I'd be willing to bet Izzo isn't the type of person who wants to be saying "What If" when he's 80 years old. The reported five-year, $30 million deal Cavs owner and MSU Alum Dan Gilbert has on the table for Izzo can't hurt, either. Neither can the prospect of coaching one of the 10 most talented/psychically imposing players in league history.

Stay on task
At the other end of the spectrum, you have the commitment Izzo has made to not explore any other head coaching opportunities until he leads the Spartans to a third national title, which would be his second as coach.

How much criticism would Izzo get for leaving a team that will likely be ranked No. 1 in every major poll going into the 2010-11 season? That same team, likely to be picked to win the 2011 national title, returns nearly every major cog in a squad that is coming off back-to-back Final Fours, along with what is arguably Izzo's best recruiting class. The Spartans will be a legit 13 deep this upcoming season - and 10 deep in 2011-12. These are all things Izzo knows.

He also knows he has his office in the Berkowitz Complex as long as he wants it. And that the Spartan fanbase will always be in his corner. What he doesn't know, and what is the biggest wildcard in this entire situation, is if Cavs star LeBron James will re-sign with the team this summer. I'm almost positive that's why no one has heard from Izzo regarding Cleveland's attempt to woo him.

Say Izzo agrees to take the job later this month, but James signs elsewhere. Where does that leave him AND the Cavs organization? Izzo would then be saddled with a team full of less-than players, most likely playing in front of crowds no bigger than 7,500 on any given night. Yea, Izzo would have his $30 million, and nothing much else beyond that. But he most likely wouldn't make it to the end of his contract. If James decides Izzo's the man he wants to play for, it's a completely different situation.

So, no, I won't be upset with Izzo if he decides to test the NBA waters. But I do hope he sees what he has at MSU and decides that life is great in East Lansing.

Last week, I told a friend the four teams in the best position to lock up Number One seeds in the NCAA Tournament were Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Michigan State.

A week and three killer losses later, MSU (19-6, 9-3 Big Ten) has fallen out of that group.

It's amazing what an 8-day stretch can do in sports. A team can go from looking like Christina Milian to resembling something out of "Daybreakers." That's what's happened to the Spartans. Their last three opponents (Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue) all shot better than 50 percent against MSU's defense. The three Ls came by an average of 12 points and players who had been steady for the lion's share of the season - Draymond Green and Durrell Summers - played like you'd think Tiger Woods would have the last few years with all the things he'd been hiding.

Ankle injury to reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas aside, MSU hasn't put a complete game together since blasting Northwestern by 21 Jan. 2 in Evanston. Sure, the 9-0 start in conference LOOKED good, until you realize it came against the Wildcats, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Hickory High, Carver High and the high school from "Hang Time." One of those wins was against Illinois, but that was before the Illini hit their current stride. There are good things that came out of that stretch, though. We saw that MSU could win tough games in hard-to-win gyms (Williams Arena); and we saw how clutch Lucas is.

That's why I'm not jumping off the bandwagon. These are the dog days of the college season. Sure, you want your team to go undefeated every year, but the likelihood of that happening is about as high as Kevin Federline's vertical leap. Two of the teams now on State's tail in the Big Ten title race (Purdue, Ohio State) had three-game skids of their own, now they look like they could make deep tournament runs. Plus, I trust coach Tom Izzo to straighten his guys out and find a way to make a deep run of their own.

Another thing on MSU's side is the upcoming schedule. Four of the Spartans' remaining six games are against three of the four worst teams in the conference (Michigan, Penn State and Indiana). Those three teams have combined to go 8-26 in Big Ten games. MSU gets Ohio State at home Feb. 21 and travels to West Lafayette to take on the Boilermakers Feb. 28.

I think MSU will straighten things out and go 5-1 in its last six games. That's due in part to having four games against teams that couldn't win a wheelchair basketball league and partly because there's too much pride and talent in East Lansing for the slide to continue.

Look for the Spartans to finish 24-7, 14-4 and share the regular season title with Purdue. After having my hopes of a one seed dashed in a week's time, I'm looking for the Spartans to be no lower than a three seed in the Big Dance.

What happens from there? Who knows.