Dave Weaver / AP

Ex-USC star O.J. Mayo reportedly received cash while at the school. The guard denies the accusations and is entering the NBA draft.

They’re not wide-eyed innocents. They don’t take money and then say, “I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to.” They know exactly what they’re doing. They are whispered to by agents and the agents’ flunkies that no one will ever find out, and they go along with that, because they want it all: The chance to showcase their skills at a major university, and also to take money while doing it. Sadly, the one aspect of college life such individuals often don’t want anything to do with is the pursuit of a degree.

People who blame the schools immediately for the chicanery of their student-athletes demonstrate a lack of understanding of the sophistication of our times. This isn’t the SEC of the ‘70s. This is 2008, and often the young men on the court or the field are five steps ahead of the people coaching them.

Of course, schools can do a better job of keeping a watchful eye on their players. At USC, which is a private school, the policy is relatively open door. But just as, if you leave cake out on the counter it might attract cockroaches, so too will agents and their minions flock to athletes with professional aspirations. That is one area in which USC football coach Pete Carroll, basketball coach Tim Floyd and athletic director Mike Garrett can make serious improvements. There are steps they can take to restrict access.

If it were me, I’d institute a whistle-blower policy: correctly identify a sleazebag on campus who might pose a threat to one of the athletic programs, get free tickets or a sweatshirt, maybe even a break on tuition. But keep them off campus.

In the meantime, hold guys like Mayo and Bush accountable — if they’re guilty of the allegations, of course — so future players will get the message.

There is no one more injurious to a sports team than someone who thinks of himself first.

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