One comment I’ve seen from a number of Kansas State fans tonight in the wake of Jacob Pullen’s three-game suspension for receiving impermissible benefits, which is a secondary NCAA violation: “He should have known better.”
Yes, the senior guard should have. He admitted as much two weeks ago.
Following a win at Loyola Chicago on Dec. 11, a reporter asked Pullen if he planned on attending a NBA game later that evening between the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. His old pal, and former K-State standout, Michael Beasley was in town. A trip to the United Center would give them some time to talk face-to-face.
But, citing family demands and a fear of questions about how he might end up with tickets to the game, Pullen said he would likely stay home.
“I’m not sure if he can leave me tickets, so I think I have to go buy tickets,” Pullen said. “Because if I say he’ll leave me tickets the NCAA will be knocking on my door in the morning.”
Then he turned to K-State sports information director Tom Gilbert, and smiled.
“See Tom, I’m learning, man,” Pullen said. “I know I can’t take tickets like that.”
At the time, that comment produced laughter. Today, it causes a different reaction.
