Corruption case won’t stop the calls on Selection Sunday

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The FBI corruption investigation that rocked college basketball and led to criminal charges against assistant coaches, agents, apparel company employees and others won’t impact Selection Sunday.

The sport seemed set to implode and it still might.

But many named or connected to the probe will hear their teams called when the March Madness field of 68 is unveiled. Two of the four schools that fired assistants tied to the scandal are locks to be in the tournament — Arizona and Auburn — and the other two are squarely on the bubble, Oklahoma State and USC.

Selection committee chairman Bruce Rasmussen has said the federal investigation won’t be a factor in determining tournament invitations.

NCAA President Mark Emmert is hoping fans keep their focus on what happens on the court on the way to the Final Four in San Antonio.

AP College Sports Writer Ralph D. Russo in New York; and AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles; contributed to this report.

Arizona head coach Sean Miller enters the arena before an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 83-67. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/03/web1_120039883-82ab4293c0634ec39af7f61772c08fbe.jpgArizona head coach Sean Miller enters the arena before an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 83-67. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Louisville head coach David Padgett calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in New York. Louisville won 82-74. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/03/web1_120039883-6453c361589c44ffa98ebe159dd9a535.jpgLouisville head coach David Padgett calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in New York. Louisville won 82-74. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Colorado’s Dominique Collier, left, covers a shot from Arizona’s Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/03/web1_120039883-83d60273995547f99d55bd41519ea4ce.jpgColorado’s Dominique Collier, left, covers a shot from Arizona’s Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

By Aaron Beard

AP Basketball Writer

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