Dick Vitale Addresses Issue with Charles Bediako's Eligibility Case

The situation has drawn national attention, including from one of the most visible faces of college basketball, who spoke about it during Sunday’s SEC matchup between Alabama and the Florida Gators. That's legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale, who addressed the issue live on the ABC broadcast, per On3.

“The bottom line is, you have a rule book,” Vitale said. “And the rule book says, according to the rules of the NCAA, he is ineligible.”

Vitale then pointed to the core conflict driving the Bediako controversy.

“However, the court system said ‘No, he can play.’ And you can’t blame a coach when (a judge) says you can play a 7-footer, you can’t blame a coach wanting to play him if they say he can play. So that’s the problem.”

Vitale emphasized that the disconnect between the NCAA's enforcement of its rules and judicial rulings has left no clean resolution, especially with the NCAA not yet having the opportunity to fully present its case in court.

“In that case, the NCAA is going to have a legal team to make their case why (playing Bediako) is in violation of NCAA rules,” Vitale said. “They did not get a chance to speak (before Bediako's temporary restraining order from Jan. 21).”

Despite acknowledging the NCAA’s position, Vitale made it clear he sided with Alabama coach Nate Oats in choosing to use Bediako while the court order remains in effect.

Bediako has already made an impact since returning, providing Alabama with a frontcourt presence it lacked earlier in the season.

The senior center is averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal per game while logging 22.3 minutes per contest in his brief return to Alabama. The Crimson Tide, however, dropped a no-contest game to the Gators on Sunday, losing 100-77 in Gainesville, FL.