Why USC?

Interesting that he openly doesn't want to go to a program with a lot of tradition like Duke or UNC. Wants to start a new tradition. Although Syracuse certainly had a strong basketball history before Carmello, Boeheim has been on record stating that Carmello was the most important basketball (recruit) player Syracuse has ever had. Hopefully, in a few years we will say the same about OJ.

"There has also been some controversy. Mayo has been involved in two altercations and was suspended last spring following an incident with a female student."

Looks like the kid will fit right in at SC.

Question is, can he get in academically?

SC has had some problems getting kids in.

Okay he was in two fights, good spirit maybe he'll punch a Bruin for getting frisky! But there is the "incident with a female student". Hmmm. What, he called her a name, got into a shoving match with her, let air out of her tires, swatted her fanny, what???

But yeah Art, I share your concern with the unknown. I mean, accepting any illiterate has always been a tradition in your neck of the woods but we have these pesky academic standards and then (gasp) we actually make them continue to go to class and perform academically if they want to play. A little unorthodox, sure, but it seems to be working all in all.

Art,

Look a few posts down.

Wants to start a new tradition? But will only stay one year? Who are you kidding? Who is he kidding?

The comparison to Syracuse/Melo is invalid. The whole thing reeks of desperation on the part of the basketball program.

Desperation? Hardly. There isn't a program in the country that wouldn't want Mayo, even if they know it's only for a year...

Sure, this is a relationship where both parties are using each other--Mayo gets to play in LA, and USC gets put on the college basketball map. I, for one, am fine with it. We all know that football players are choosing to play at SC for a similar reason.