Paul Finebaum doesn't expect Michigan to be slowed down by NCAA investigation, looming punishment

The Michigan Wolverines are preparing for more fallout from the Connor Stalions scandal with the NCAA preparing a Notice of Allegations (NOA) draft that names multiple former assistants and current head coach Sherrone Moore.

Analyst Paul Finebaum broke down his thoughts on Michigan while making an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. There, he explained that he doesn’t think Michigan is going to be slowed down by the NCAA investigation and a looming punishment.

“I think on the surface it looks terrible,” Paul Finebaum said. “But we don’t know exactly how it’s gonna land and what I really don’t think we know either is what the next step is gonna be. I think it’s pretty obvious that whatever the NCAA says, there will be a lawyer waiting at the courthouse, representing the school and Sherrone Moore. I think that’s really what’s gonna drag this out.”

Within the draft, which is subject to change, of the NOA, Sherrone Moore is named for deleting a 52-text message thread with Connor Stalions. There is some thought he could be facing a potential show-cause penalty. The program itself faces its own accusations, including multiple Level 1 violations.

“Ultimately, I think there will be some accommodation because the NCAA does not want to get near a courtroom again. Just look at what happened, really with a much less serious situation in Tennessee a couple of months ago.”

Finebaum is referencing the court case in Tennessee that stemmed from its investigations into NIL. There, an injunction limited the ability for the NCAA to regulate NIL and the Transfer Portal.

“So, I think it will look ugly. I think that Michigan will certainly take some hits. But I don’t see this as taking down the program or really slowing it down either because most of us feel like we’ve been down this road before. They won the national championship and I know everyone can say whatever they would like to say, but Charlie Baker said they won it fair and square. Whether that really means anything or not, he did say it,” Finebaum said.

“I don’t think anything is changing there and quite frankly I don’t think the penalty here will be too severe.”

Paul Finebaum weighs in on the looming NCAA punishment for Michigan

Ultimately, for Paul Finebaum, he doesn’t believe that the looming NCAA punishment for Michigan will be overly severe.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal. This is all a continuation of a long, drawn-out story that — in many people’s eyes, probably other than the NCAA — is over. Let’s not forget that Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA — and this may sound out of context because it probably is — but after Michigan won the national championship, he said they won fair and square. I remember that and I think a lot of lawyers are going to remember that too,” Finebaum said.

“I’m not trying to minimize it. But, the point is that in the big picture of college athletics, nobody respects the NCAA. Nobody really cares about the NCAA. And, there is a team of lawyers ready to drag this out and to threaten the NCAA if they dare do anything to Michigan other than a slap on the wrist.”