By now, you've probably read that the Fresno State women's basketball team might have to forfeit a Jan. 18 win at San Jose State because senior center Jenny Thigpin wasn't officially enrolled that day. (She rectified a class conflict a few days later). Fresno State, in a self-imposed move, suspended her for the Jan. 25 home game vs. Nevada, a 68-61 loss.

The WAC, last week, then told Fresno State it must forfeit the San Jose State game. Fresno State is appealing.
I have a feeling the WAC will throw out the appeal, which makes little sense. Thigpin didn't intentionally break any rule. It was an honest mistake she cleared up immediately. Fresno State punished her and that's where it should end.

Athletic director Thomas Boeh was right when he told me, "It goes against the spirit of the rule to punish the team more."

If Fresno State does take San Jose State as a loss, it could have far-reaching effects when the WAC Tournament comes around in March. It could drop the Bulldogs from third or fourth to sixth or seventh, resulting in playing one of the top seeds sooner than expected.

Give Fresno State credit for self-reporting the incident and suspending Thigpin. But maybe next time they shouldn't take action against the player. The team was going to face a forfeit anyway. Why do the team more harm by suspending the player? The result? The Bulldogs could now lose two games; one (Nevada) they could have won with Thigpin in the lineup.