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NCAA responds to UNC: Judgment Day is finally here

By Brandon Griffin

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks in a press conference after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks in a press conference after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NCAA to release UNC infractions report on Friday

After more than six years, the NCAA is finally ready to announce its final findings and penalties against the University of North Carolina.

According to Inside Carolina, UNC was given their 24-hour notice early Thursday morning, meaning that UNC and the rest of the world should know the verdict around noon on Friday.

The announcement, which was delayed a week, comes just hours before the start of Late Night with Roy. Normally, that is big enough in its own right, but as Jay Bilas reminds us, it is also when the school planned to unveil the 2017 NCAA Championship banner.

Regardless, this is big news for the university. Before we get into what comes next, there are a couple of factors to look at.

First, the NCAA is alleging that its not looking into fraudulent classes. Instead, its stating that athletes were provided special access to said classes, therefore creating improper benefits.

This is interesting for two reasons. First, this could set precedent for later NCAA cases since most schools offer this improper benefit by allowing athlete’s to register before other students.

CLEVELAND – APRIL 01: Head coach Sylvia Hatchell of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks with her players during a timeout against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during their National Semifinal game of the 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four at the Quicken Loans Arena on April 1, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tennessee won 56-50. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – APRIL 01: Head coach Sylvia Hatchell of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks with her players during a timeout against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during their National Semifinal game of the 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four at the Quicken Loans Arena on April 1, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tennessee won 56-50. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Secondly, it could be the NCAA tipping its hand to where it’s going in the punishments as the women’s basketball team is the only sport specifically mentioned in the allegations.

Of course, the NCAA also included the all-encompassing failure of institutional control. This is like the NCAA version of a catchall and could make things muddy as far as which sports are actually involved.

Another factor is the timing of it all. For the first time in this entire situation, something has come quickly. The final word could’ve taken up to 12 weeks and if not for the delay, it would’ve been received in seven.

In court, a quick jury is either really good or really bad. It is possible that UNC is looking at black or white here with very little chance at gray.

So what does it mean?

Initial thoughts would probably lean toward this is finally coming to an end. However, that may not be the case. It really depends on the penalties. If they are light, then maybe so. If they aren’t, then maybe not.

After the penalties are announced, the university will have 15 days to request an appeal. The appeals process could take another 110 days. That means that it would take roughly until the middle of February, or right as ACC season is at its peak.

And that is if the university doesn’t take this to court, either after the appeals process or skips it entirely. A legal move could add a lot of additional time to this whole saga.

Next: 2019's top prospect to visit UNC?

Regardless, another piece to the puzzle will be revealed on Friday. Whether that piece is the final one or not, is still in question.

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