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The NCAA granted Georgetown's waiver and UCLA transfer Josh Smith can now play immediately for the Hoyas after sitting out last semester. Great news for Georgetown, right? Happy for the kid, right? Well, not if you're a member of the national media that continues to sound off against the NCAA for such decisions while sitting in their underwear in their mother's basements (I'm assuming this is true, of course, since that's what I'm doing right now). Here is a just a smattering of the reactions to the NCAA's decision on Smith from various college hoopsters:
NCAA's fear showing itself again by clearing Josh Smith to play this season at Georgetown. Waiver due to weight issues/Howland treatment.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) October 24, 2013
The NCAA has granted some inexplicable waivers. But what it granted Josh Smith is the wildest ever. Story: http://t.co/gGHqYmBihN
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) October 24, 2013
Why did Josh Smith get three extra semesters when he played six games when Donte Hill got nothing despite only playing a secret scrimmage?
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) October 24, 2013
From the messages I'm getting, compliance folks aren't real thrilled with this Josh Smith ruling either.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 23, 2013
Now that Josh Smith got waiver to play in Armed Forces Classic for Hoyas, don't see how NCAA won't grant Joseph Young same deal for Oregon.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) October 24, 2013
Josh Smith eligible? I'm not going waste my time trashing NCAA. It's a lost cause .
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) October 23, 2013
What is the basis 4 a waiver 4 Hoyas Josh Smith / no prob but I am once again confused by NCAA. LOVE to be#INCONSISTENT @ESPNDanaOneil
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) October 24, 2013
I predict the Josh Smith decision will be the tipping point on cbk transfer waivers. Everyone sits or everyone plays. Enough already.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) October 24, 2013
NCAA clears G'Town's Josh Smith? That's not objectionable. It's objectionable that NCAA rejects so many others, with no coherent policy.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) October 24, 2013
Tweets questioning the NCAA decision aside, the most reprehensible tweet came courtesy of Dan Dakich, a former Indiana coach and current ESPN commentator. Check this one out:
Is the NCAA good or bad for letting the most disrespectful player I've ever seen Josh Smith be immediately eligible at Georgetown?
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) October 23, 2013
So, instead of the other guys who took swipes at the NCAA for the decision, Dakich decided to take to twitter and go after Smith himself, a kid who just wants to play basketball and had nothing to do with the NCAA's decision. What a gutless move befitting of a guy who threatened a Hoosier grad's career simply for calling into his radio show and disagreeing with him. And he calls Josh Smith "disrespectful"?
Your move, ESPN.
To leave you with a good taste in your mouth on this casual Thursday morning, here are a few that actually discuss the impact of the news to Georgetown this season:
I don't think it can be understated how important Smith is for Georgetown. If he is in good enough shape to play 25 minutes, he's a beast.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) October 23, 2013
As I stated a few weeks ago, one thing I learned during preseason travels this yr? Not picking Georgetown to win the Big East was a mistake.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 24, 2013
IF IF IF Josh Smith is truly in shape and can reach production levels he flirted with at UCLA, G'town is a Final 4 sleeper. Yes, I mean it.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 24, 2013
Linkage to some articles on the news:
Big news for Hoyas' big man: Smith eligible immediately | Comcast SportsNet Washington
Perhaps the biggest stunner is that 6-foot-10, 350-pound center is also eligible for the 2014-15 season, meaning four semesters available with the Hoyas. The program requested a "Seasons of Competition" waiver for Smith, who played six games as a junior for UCLA last season before departing the Pac 12 school during the first semester.UCLA transfer
Joshua Smith eligible to play immediately at Georgetown | CollegeBasketballTalk
With the start of the regular season inching closer the Georgetown Hoyas had a significant question that needed answering: when would UCLA transfer Joshua Smith be eligible to play in games?
Former UCLA C Josh Smith ruled eligible at Georgetown
Now with waiver in hand, new teammates say Smith's work ethic has been good.