Amidst charges of academic fraud, fake expense reports and allegations of sexual misconduct, the University of Georgia was forced to suspend basketball coach Jim Harrick. His downfall began when player Tony Cole was involved in the sexual assault of a young woman, then attending the college. Cole has been brought into the Georgia basketball program by Harrick, who knew of problems that Cole had with aggressive behavior towards women.

Harrick then refused to reinstate Cole in the basketball program even after the charges were dropped. Cole revealed that his living expenses had been paid by someone from the University, and that he got an "A" in a class taught by Harrick's son. The only problem was that Cole never attended class, turned in homework or took a test.

Vince Dooley, in an effort to stave off action by the NCAA and the SEC, withdrew the #21 Bulldogs from both tournaments. College president Michael Adams, who "encouraged" Dooley to hire Harrick, distanced himself from Coach Harrick in an attempt to divert attention from his role in the scandal, having permitted Harrick's son to work at the school in spite of an anti-nepotism rule. Adams had insisted on full control of the University of Georgia's sports programs when he became president.