Alabama center Charles Bediako led the No. 23 Crimson Tide to a 90-64 win over the Missouri Tigers on Tuesday to register his first win back in college basketball. Bediako tallied 14 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes of action.
Bediako got a stay of execution after controversial Judge James Roberts extended his temporary restraining order by 10 days, allowing him to play two more games before the preliminary injunction hearing on Feb. 6.
Alex Golesh Trolls Bama After Charles Bediako Return
While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Auburn football head coach Alex Golesh trolled Alabama when asked about the Bediako eligibility issue and whether he would consider signing a player who had left college football for the NFL, but hadn’t played a snap in the league.
“How’d it work out for them last weekend?” Golesh asked. “College football has evolved so fast, and every single time there’s a situation like that, my antennas go up. I think with every change, every ruling, or lack of ruling, you’ve got an opportunity to either sit and complain about it, which I think we tend to do as coaches.
“I’ve always looked at it as, where’s the loophole in here? Who’s available out there that we can go get that fits what we do. (It’s) certainly fascinating.”
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Golesh’s words will provide a tasty backstory to the Crimson Tide’s rivalry clash against Auburn on Feb. 7, should Bediako be ruled eligible to play during the preliminary injunction hearing.
Bediako’s Date With Destiny Against Florida
Bediako had been granted a 10-day temporary restraining order that allowed him to play for Alabama, but after the NCAA requested that Judge James Roberts recuse himself due to his connections to the Crimson Tide, Judge Daniel Pruet took his place, and the eligibility matter is set to rumble on for a few more weeks.
The Bediako issue has caused widespread discourse over the ethics of players who had forfeited their eligibility, taking away opportunities from high school prospects. Last week, Florida Gators coach Todd Golden did not mince his words about Bediako’s situation, making a gutsy promise via Gator Talk.
“They were able to finagle the situation where they got a judge in Alabama that is actually a donor at Alabama to write a temporary restraining order to let this guy play games at Alabama,” Golden said. “We’re going to beat them anyways. If he plays, we’ll beat him anyways.”
After Golden’s statement, the Crimson Tide’s trip to Gainesville on Feb. 1 to face off against the No. 19 Gators will have added spice as Bediako continues to navigate a hostile college basketball environment.
