Will Simeon Cottle play in March Madness after point shaving scandal?

Kennesaw State survived the drama of a midseason point shaving scandal to return to the NCAA Tournament. Its best player will not make the trip. Simeon Cottle, who was among four active players exposed in the scheme, remains suspended from all team activities.

The preseason Conference USA Player of the Year, Cottle started the year hot by averaging 20. 2 points, 3. 8 assists and 1.

5 steals over 17 games. Then came the bombshell report that Cottle underperformed in exchange for money, resulting in federal charges and a screeching halt to his basketball career. When the news first broke, however, Kennesaw State coach Antoine Pettway put the blame on "predators" who influenced Cottle.

"You're being a predator online and you're reaching out to them, getting these dudes to mess up," Pettway said, per ESPN . "Because there's a lot of dudes on that list that you feel bad for, that they've got a long road ahead of them because, in the dark, a grown-up reached out to them and led them down the wrong path. " Credit to Kennesaw State's focus to make it to March Madness despite all the noise.