The parties have met, but the waiting game continues.

Those close to the Ed Martin case have confirmed that Ed Martin and his lawyer spoke at length with representatives from the University, the NCAA and the U.S. Attorney's Office on Aug. 2.

Martin, who pleaded guilty to counts of money laundering, conspiracy and illegal gambling on May 28, was forced to reveal all the details surrounding his relationship with the basketball program's players and coaching staff as part of his plea bargain.

Martin gave loans totaling $616,000 to four former Michigan basketball players - Chris Webber, Maurice Taylor, Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock - to launder money that was made through his illegal gambling ring from 1988 to 1999.

University officials refuse to comment at this stage of the investigation, and it is not known when the NCAA will rule on what penalties, if any, will be levied on the basketball program.

The key to the testimony will be Martin's description of how much information University officials had of his actions.

If the NCAA gets information that shows that a person with authority at the University knew about violations and refused to act, severe penalties could follow.

Should the facts prove that Michigan violated NCAA guidelines, the basketball program could face television or postseason bans. The NCAA could also take away scholarships or force Michigan to forfeit games.

"(The NCAA is) troubled because there were things going on that someone should have seen," said a source that was present at the meeting.

"They're convinced that if someone would have said something, it would have ended, and nobody spoke up.

"(They were) just a bunch of blind people."

Although progress appears to have been made this summer, the timetable for action in this case remains murky.

The date of Martin's sentencing was moved from Aug. 29 to Oct. 8 by Federal District Court Judge Robert Cleland.

The Detroit News reported this summer that Webber, who plays for the Sacramento Kings, would face charges of lying to a grand jury, but he has not been charged.

On Aug. 20, Clarence Malvo, who was indicted in March on illegal gambling charges in connection with Martin's illegal gambling ring, was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000.

- Daily Sports Writer J. Brady McColough contributed to this report.