Federal Court Keeps Minnesota Wing Cade Tyson Off the Floor
A 10th Circuit panel ruled against the Gophers star Friday, leaving him to seek state court relief before Monday's game at Cincinnati.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Cade Tyson, the Minnesota Gophers' leading scorer from last season, will not play this season after a federal appeals court ruled against his eligibility case on Friday. The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver vacated a preliminary injunction that had previously granted players in the Class of 2022 a fifth year of eligibility. The court determined that the antitrust arguments presented did not clearly define the relative market.
Tyson is currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota and practices with the men's basketball team. He is expected to pursue a new legal strategy, potentially filing a claim in state court as early as next week. A source on his legal team told the Pioneer Press that the group is evaluating all options. Tyson is a member of the Class of 2022, a cohort that the NCAA excluded from its new five-for-five eligibility rule. That rule allows players five years to play five seasons.
The legal battle has a history of shifting rulings. In August, Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted a preliminary injunction that allowed these players to compete this season. However, the NCAA obtained a stay on the injunction in late August, which made the players ineligible. During oral arguments in October, the appeals court panel appeared to favor the NCAA. Friday's decision follows that hearing.
Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle suggested on Oct. 24 that there are other legal avenues available. Speaking on KFXN-FM 100.3, Coyle noted that while Tyson is part of a federal case, he could also become part of a state case. He added that there are always different levers that attorneys can pull in such situations.
The Gophers face a unique challenge as they start the season. Head coach Niko Medved has criticized the NCAA's strict stance on these eligibility efforts. Medved argued in October that the best decision in a bad circumstance would be to let these players play. He noted that the inconsistent decisions across the country mean that a team's success or tournament chances depend on having a favorable judge, a situation he described as embarrassing.
Other players across the nation have secured a fifth year of eligibility through various courts. This includes several Big Ten players and Cincinnati guard MJ Collins. Collins is averaging 13.5 points across two games this season. The Gophers will play at Cincinnati in a high-major nonconference game on Monday.
Tyson averaged 19 points per game for the Gophers last season. He remains on the roster and is practicing with the team while the legal process continues.
