Judge Frederick Shaller says the NCAA was "malicious" in its persecution, er, prosecution of former USC coach Todd McNair.

USCFootball.com reports

The NCAA investigators were "over the top," Shaller said after reviewing the information filed by both sides, and "malicious" and that what he saw after reviewing emails from NCAA personnel, investigators, Committee of Infractions and Appeals members, "tended to show ill will" to McNair.

The NCAA's case against USC is based entirely on McNair's alleged knowledge of the benefits Reggie Bush received from his wannabe agents Michael Michaels and convicted felon Lloyd Lake.

McNair's attorney Bruce Broillet describes the NCAA's internal communications

"The emails proved they wanted to get McNair in order to impose the heavier penalties they wanted on USC," said Broillet, who does not comment on cases outside of court and not on this case with its protective order for the attorneys. "So they wrote the evidence the way they wanted it to be -- and that's malice . . . they got it all wrong on purpose."

Judge Shaller will release the incriminating emails in 30 days. Faced with devastating losses on the football field, we hope USC's administrators and attorneys can find the courage to Fight On and beat the NCAA.