NCAA is not anyone’s friend right now. They’re like the guy on your floor freshman year of college who everyone fucking hates but you have to be nice to him. They exist so you have to recognize them, but in reality, we all know they suck at the job. Part of people’s issues with NCAA is their ability to move goalposts on issues, transfers, etc. Wisconsin Badgers basketball saw the effects of this on Thursday as NCAA announced that Micah Potter will have to sit out for the fall semester.

#Badgers men’s hoops not expected to have OSU transfer Micah Potter until after end of semester. NCAA turned down appeal for immediate eligibility. Shouldn’t be surprised but this one does surprise me.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 10, 2019

This is a blow for the Wisconsin Badgers. Potter is a 6’9 transfer from Ohio State who can do some of the things Ethan Happ did for the Badgers in the last four years. Wisconsin will be ghastly thin on their front line to start the season. It is basically Nate Reuvers and everyone else. That could be a major issue that looms large for the Badgers to begin the year.

It is not like the Badgers are playing a cupcake schedule to start the season where this might not be as big of an issue. Potter will miss games against Marquette, St. Mary’s, Indiana, Rutgers, Auburn or New Mexico, and NC State. That’s a bevy of teams that will have some size and Badgers could have used Potter’s help. This means he will miss four non-conference high profile games and two conference games. That’s not a small number. Greg Gard and company will have their work cut out for them and might need to rely on a hot January and February to get back in the NCAA Tournament.

You feel bad for a kid like Potter. He checked every box to clear his issue with the NCAA but in the end, they spun their wheel landing on ineligible.

Charlie.