Doubting Thomas: Duke Treated Differently Than Memphis in NCAA Probe?

Even using a mite foggy crystal ball, was there any doubt we would never know a lot of the precise details stemming from how on earth a mediocre college player had the out-of-this-world fiscal wherewithal to make a down payment of $30,000 and go in debt for $67,800 to purchase custom jewelry in New York in the middle of an eventual NCAA championship season? Lance Thomas, a senior forward who averaged 4.8 ppg for Duke in 2009-10, sure(ty) has left a lot of unanswered questions regarding an escapade that could be dubbed "Diamonds Are Forever" (at least finishing payments for them until settling lawsuit last fall).

Thomas continues to leave inquiring minds wanting a lot more much like he did on the court. Rather than striving for bling to look like a tall rapper, he should have been more concerned about the tall order of living up to his billing as a McDonald's All-American in 2006.

There is no doubt the Blue Devils have a history of dealing in bulk when it comes to McDonald's Unhappy Deals. While observers wonder why Duke is treated differently than Memphis (remember Derrick Rose) when it comes to stonewalling participants, following is a list including him among 10 McDonald's All-Americans who averaged fewer than 5 ppg in their Duke careers:

NOTE: Beard (Boston University), Boateng (Arizona State), Burgess (Utah), Palmer (Dartmouth) and Thompson (Northwestern) transferred to other schools to finish their college careers.