Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 19, 2012

Wisconsin basketball coach Bo Ryan was being swallowed up in a firestorm of criticism surrounding the restrictions he and the school have since lifted on the transfer of redshirt freshman Jarrod Uthoff.

But was it all warranted? If you look closely at what it was Ryan was asking for, it was merely an explanation as to why he wanted to transfer. At the time, neither Ryan nor anyone at Wisconsin had talked to Uthoff about why the former Iowa Mr. Basketball wanted to transfer, aside from the fact he said he didn't fit Ryan?s system.

Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News-a Big Ten Network contributor–wrote a compelling piece today that examined the transfer process and better explains why Ryan is taking the stand he has chosen.

Was Ryan really being vindictive? Was Ryan really a villain? You make the call.

On Thursday afternoon, UWBadgers.com sent an email about Uthoff with the following information:

  • It is incorrect that Uthoff requested ?permission to contact? 25 schools. He has requested ?permission to contact? 16 schools, 4 of which were denied.
  • Uthoff appealed 3 of the 4 schools that were denied.
  • Uthoff visited with both Associate Athletic Director Justin Doherty and Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez Thursday morning as part of the appeal process.
  • Doherty, Alvarez and head coach Bo Ryan then met and collectively came to a decision that the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department has lifted ?permission to contact? restrictions on ANY school outside of the Big Ten Conference.
  • Ryan is supportive of denials of Big Ten institutions only and has wanted the appeals process to serve as a means for dialogue to occur between Uthoff and UW Athletics administration.
  • Uthoff has been notified of these decisions.
  • If Uthoff wishes to further appeal the ?permission to contact? denial to any Big Ten university, he may request a hearing to the Chair of the Athletic Board within 8 business days.

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