NCAA violation adds insult to injury for MSU assistant

Michigan State's new co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach already learned from his body last summer playing a one-on-one game of basketball against a high school recruit was not a good idea. 

Then Harlon Barnett found out from the NCAA it's not even allowed. 

MLive.com reports via an open records request the school self-reported an NCAA violation that occurred in August when Barnett played Khari Willis, a three-star in-state verbal commitment then who later signed with the Spartans, in a brief basketball game. 

At the time, Barnett probably came to regret the decision to engage the youngster in the competition because it resulted in the coach tearing an Achilles tendon. 

Now imagine how he must have felt when the MSU compliance department caught wind of the activity and let him know it fell under the category of a physical workout that is prohibited of potential student-athletes on visits. 

Ultimately it is what is now considered a Level III violation, something that would have been considered a minor or secondary violation under the NCAA's former penalty structure, so the punishment is confined to an admonishment and further education. 

At least Barnett can take solace in the fact Willis followed through with his decision to join up with the Green and White. 

(H/T MLive.com)