I think this might help add to the discussion. In July, the Hoops Report ran a transcription of an interview with Mackey. Here is one thing that stood out about the interview.
"What is Coach Sampson (IU) like? He is the most positive guy in the world. Very smart and he reminds me of my grandfather.
...
Who is the biggest role model in your life and why? My grandfather. He is teaching me how to be a man."
I don't think anybody was denying that coach Sampson had a positive impact on Mackey's life. And I don't think anybody is denying that the best thing for Mackey is to, once all is said and done, play at IU.
I think inherently the question at stake here is: what is the point of athletics? At a youth level, it is to teach kids important life lessons -- teamwork, determination, hard work, mistakes, etc. At a professional level it is to entertain the masses. But where does the first stop and the second begin? Is it in college? Is it before then? Should that be the case?
And does knowing what a positive influence Sampson was turning into change what you think about Mackey's scholarship situation?
