UConn AD suggests Alabama’s games with Charles Bediako shouldn’t count toward NCAA Tournament
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College athletics as a whole are in a state of immense flux, and the basketball world is currently taking center stage in that regard.
Former Alabama and G-League player Charles Bediako was announced to be eligible to play for the Crimson Tide this season following a ruling from James H. Roberts Jr. of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The news follows a series of other instances where professional players have returned to play collegiately this season, most notably Baylor’s addition of James Nnaji in late December.
With plenty of people voicing their opposition to the ruling, UConn Athletic Director David Benedict requested a bold course of action from the NCAA to counter Alabama’s move.
“If legally we can’t control or impose NCAA rules in terms of who can play and who can’t, based on a legal decision, the NCAA still has the right to determine what games count toward the NCAA tournament. And what games don’t count,” Benedict told ESPN. “The NCAA has deemed (Charles Bediako) ineligible. Fine, he can play (on a judge’s ruling). It doesn’t mean the games need to count toward the NCAA Tournament. Otherwise, throw away the rule book and set it on fire. There are no rules.
Nate Oats’ team has constructed a body of work that would certainly qualify it for the NCAA Tournament, but the potential outlook of games being ruled ineligible could put a damper on that notion.
The Crimson Tide will next hit the floor when they host Tennessee at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the game being broadcast by ESPN.
UConn AD David Benedict tells ESPN that he’s imploring the NCAA and president Charlie Baker to take a stand in eligibility cases where there’s NCAA rules being circumvented by a judge’s ruling.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 21, 2026
“If legally we can’t control or impose NCAA rules in terms of who can play and who… https://t.co/x189ryRfuL
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
